Los Angeles Lakers $10 billion deal left Shaquille O’Neal “upset” for one major reason

The Los Angeles Lakers were sold in a record-breaking $10 billion deal to billionaire Mark Walter. While the sale has sparked excitement and optimism in some corners, it left one Lakers legend feeling completely blindsided, or at least, unhappy. Shaquille O’Neal, who was one of the architects of the franchise's modern legacy, openly expressed his frustration over being left out of the picture.

Shaquille O’Neal left “upset” as $10 billion Lakers deal moves forward without a nod to his legacy

For more than four decades, the Los Angeles Lakers were synonymous with the Buss family, who bought the franchise in 1979 for just $67.5 million. Under Jerry Buss, and later his daughter Jeanie, the Lakers captured 11 championships and became one of the most glamorous names in professional sports.

But the torch has now passed. Jeanie Buss and her siblings have agreed to sell a majority stake in the team to Mark Walter— CEO of TWG Global and co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers— while keeping a 15% share and Jeanie staying on as governor.

But for Shaquille O’Neal, the transaction stirred up something else entirely.

“You know, I’m a little upset,” O’Neal said on The Big Podcast. “The Lakers got sold for $10 billion, and I ain’t getting no dually, I ain’t getting no brand escalade, I ain’t getting nothing.”


Walter’s acquisition, reportedly worth $10 billion, marks the most expensive franchise sale in U.S. sports history, overtaking even the Boston Celtics' $6.1 billion deal earlier this year. For Jeanie, the sale was a move grounded in trust and legacy. “Now she can comfortably pass the baton to Mark Walter,” said Lakers icon Magic Johnson. “She’s witnessed him build a winning team with the Dodgers and knows that Mark will do right by the Lakers team, organization, and fans!”

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From a business angle, Mark Walter's growing sports empire includes teams like the WNBA’s Sparks, Premier League’s Chelsea, and the Cadillac Formula 1 racing team. But amid all the buzz and billions, the emotions of legends like Shaquille O’Neal show that the franchise should recognize the legends and valuable players who helped shape one of the biggest NBA teams. Regardless, not much change is expected as Jeanie will remain a governor of the organization, continuing the steady operation.

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