LOS ANGELES — Shortly after Mark Walter’s Los Angeles Dodgers secured the World Series championship for the second time in five years, he met with Andrew Friedman, the team’s president of baseball operations, to discuss offseason plans. The Dodgers had made headlines the previous year with their spending spree, signing Shohei Ohtani to a historic $700 million contract as part of a $1.4 billion outlay. Friedman sought to understand Walter’s priorities as a new season approached.
“Mark’s mindset,” Friedman shared with The Athletic earlier this year, “was to be even more aggressive.” He mentioned Walter’s enthusiasm, stating, “He was like, ‘Hey, let’s keep going.”
In line with his vision of establishing a “golden era of Dodgers baseball,” Walter allocated an additional $456 million to new players for the 2025 season. Moreover, further investments are on the way as Walter and his group, TWG Global, are close to finalizing a deal to buy the Los Angeles Lakers, valuing the franchise at $10 billion.
The 65-year-old financier from Chicago has established himself as a prominent figure in Los Angeles sports. With a substantial overlap between Dodgers and Lakers fans, many are curious about how Walter will steer his new acquisition. Here are five key principles derived from his leadership of the Dodgers that could provide insight into his approach with the Lakers.
1. Spend Big and Spend Creatively
Long before signing Ohtani, Walter undertook bold financial maneuvers to revitalize a team that had previously faced bankruptcy. Shortly after acquiring the Dodgers in 2012, he arranged for a jet to transport players like Adrian Gonzalez from the Boston Red Sox, investing over $250 million to enhance the team’s credibility.
Setting a precedent for his ownership, Walter’s group has maintained a top-five payroll every season since 2013, leading spending in seven of those years. The Dodgers have also appeared in the postseason every year since 2012, a correlation that is no coincidence.
2. Invest Beyond Players
While the Lakers face limitations in roster building due to the NBA’s salary cap, there are still ways Walter can make investments. He ensures the team has high-quality travel systems and has invested heavily in facilities, completing extensive renovations at Dodger Stadium to enhance amenities for players.
3. Hire the Best Talent
After achieving success in the National League West but falling short of a championship, Walter sought to upgrade the organization by recruiting Andrew Friedman, who had effectively built the Tampa Bay Rays into a strong competitor. Walter has been willing to make tough decisions to bring in top talent, reflecting a commitment to excellence.
4. Secure Star Players
The Dodgers’ roster has featured prominent stars such as Clayton Kershaw and Mookie Betts. Walter has demonstrated a willingness to pay premium prices to retain talent, as evidenced by his contract extension with Betts and his successful pitch to Ohtani highlighting the need for further championship success.
5. Maintain Trust and Autonomy
Walter exercises a hands-off approach, trusting management to make baseball decisions without interference. His tendency to stay out of the limelight while allowing his team to operate independently has led to sustained success, attracting players like Ohtani who value this sense of stability.
Will Walter extend the same philosophy to the Lakers? With high expectations and a desire to win, there’s a chance that his strategies in basketball will mirror those in baseball. Winning remains Walter’s ultimate priority.
