🏟️ Legacy Sold: Lakers’ $10B Power Shift

Mark Walter’s record-setting purchase signals the growing influence of private capital in professional sports.

June 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Welcome to this week’s edition of Sports Industry Weekly! We’re diving into the biggest headlines and boldest moves shaping the business of sports, from game-changing deals to emerging trends you need to know. Let’s get into it!

🏀 The Buss family is selling the Lakers to billionaire Mark Walter for $10B, setting a new benchmark for sports franchise valuations.

📲 Social media pressure led the NBA to bring back classic Finals branding, proving fan engagement now shapes league marketing.

⛹️‍♀️ Shaq is funding a $24M Vegas youth center, blending philanthropy with long-term community and brand impact.

⚾️ Shohei Ohtani’s 2025 pitching debut is driving ticket prices through the roof, showing the premium on star power in live sports.

💰 NCAA revenue-sharing may force schools to cut non-revenue sports, reshaping college athletics economics.

⚖️ Louisiana may hike sports betting taxes to fund college sports, creating a new model post-NCAA settlement.

🏒 The Stanley Cup Final is drawing record-low U.S. viewership, raising red flags for NHL media relevance.

🚘 Prime’s NASCAR race hit a viewership low but drew its youngest audience, reflecting streaming’s tradeoffs in sports.

🏈 The Cowboys are giving cheerleaders a 400% raise, setting a new standard for pay equity in sports entertainment.

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🏁 NASCAR is close to securing a San Diego street race, expanding its event model and tapping into new urban markets.

🏟️ Chicago Fire FC is building a $650M privately funded stadium, signaling major commitment to U.S. soccer growth amid local development uncertainty.

📣 Varsity Spirit will launch the Pro Cheerleading League in 2026, aiming to professionalize and monetize the cheerleading industry.

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