LOS ANGELES — Just days after Mark Walter's Los Angeles Dodgers claimed the World Series title for the second time in five years, he engaged in discussions with the team's president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, to outline a strategic offseason plan. The previous year, the Dodgers had astonished the baseball community by signing Shohei Ohtani to a groundbreaking $700 million contract amid a staggering $1.4 billion spending spree. As a new season approached, Friedman sought to understand Walter's priorities. “Mark’s mindset,” Friedman shared with The Athletic earlier this year, “was to be even more aggressive.” Walter was determined to solidify what he termed the “golden era of Dodgers baseball,” investing an additional $456 million on new talent for the 2025 season. However, even more significant spending was on the horizon.
Walter and his holding group, TWG Global, are reportedly nearing an agreement to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers with a franchise valuation reaching $10 billion. At 65 years old, Walter has emerged as the dominant figure in Los Angeles sports. The crossover between Dodgers and Lakers fans is substantial, leading many in the South Bay and across the basketball landscape to question how Walter will steer his new franchise. For those intrigued by Walter's leadership style, we present five key principles gleaned from his successful management of the Dodgers over the past 13 years.
Long before the Dodgers secured Ohtani, Walter demonstrated a willingness to engage in significant spending to revitalize a franchise that had seen better days. Shortly after acquiring the team in spring 2012, Walter chartered a jet to bring in Adrian Gonzalez and several other players from the Boston Red Sox, a deal exceeding $250 million that restored credibility to his ownership group. This initial investment set the tone for Walter’s tenure. Without the constraints of a hard salary cap, the Dodgers have maintained a top-five payroll each season since 2013, leading baseball in spending for seven of those years. The franchise has not missed the postseason since 2013, a direct correlation to this aggressive spending approach.
While the Lakers face restrictions due to the NBA's salary cap structure, they have adapted their spending strategies creatively in recent years. The trend reached new heights with Ohtani, who agreed to defer 98% of his contract until its conclusion, allowing the team to allocate resources efficiently. The Dodgers currently have about $1.04 billion in deferred money on their books, with a record-setting luxury tax bill of $103 million last year. As they look ahead to 2025, they are projected to spend over half a billion dollars on payroll and taxes combined.
While there are financial limits to how Walter’s wealth can shape the Lakers’ roster, there are other avenues an owner can explore. For instance, this season, the Dodgers introduced an innovative travel system for their extensive traveling party, utilizing two planes for players and staff separately. Additionally, they completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of Dodger Stadium’s clubhouse, enhancing facilities to attract top talent, including the installation of Japanese-style toilets that helped lure pitcher Roki Sasaki to Los Angeles. These investments reflect Walter's commitment to providing resources and support for his teams, a sentiment echoed by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who stated, “He wants to win. He feels that the fans, the city deserves that.”
Walter’s approach to team management is exemplified by his commitment to hiring the best talent. After the Dodgers won the National League West in 2013 and 2014 but fell short in the postseason, Walter decided to part ways with general manager Ned Colletti, bringing in Friedman, who had previously turned the small-market Tampa Bay Rays into a competitive force. A year later, after a series of early postseason exits, the team replaced manager Don Mattingly with Roberts, who has since achieved the highest winning percentage of any MLB manager.
This raises questions about the future of the Lakers' executive team, including Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick. Although Walter does not typically engage in impulsive firings, his history indicates a willingness to make changes when he sees opportunities for improvement. Walter has also invested heavily in expanding his analytical and scouting departments, distinguishing himself from other owners who have cut back on non-player positions.
The Dodgers under Walter have consistently attracted star talent, including Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts, and Ohtani. Walter has not hesitated to invest in securing their services, maintaining a strong relationship with Kershaw through multiple free-agency rounds. After Friedman orchestrated a trade for Betts in 2020, Walter promptly extended his contract to $365 million. In Ohtani's case, Walter’s ability to connect with the player’s competitive spirit during negotiations was pivotal, especially when Walter expressed dissatisfaction over the Dodgers' single championship win during his tenure.
With the Lakers already featuring stars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić, there is potential for Walter to replicate his success in attracting elite talent. The Dodgers have effectively leveraged their market positioning to maximize revenue through advertising and partnerships. If the Lakers can capitalize on similar opportunities, the team could see significant growth.
Walter’s presence at Dodger Stadium is minimal; he seldom engages with the media and prefers to keep his remarks brief. His leadership style is characterized by trust in his executives, allowing them to make key decisions without interference. This approach exemplifies an ideal ownership model, combining financial resources with confidence in the management team. Roberts commented, “A good owner is someone who lets the people he hires do their jobs.”
Walter’s hands-off method is made easier by the ongoing success of the Dodgers. Friedman is regarded as one of the sharpest executives in baseball, and the Dodgers' front office has received accolades for its performance. Ohtani’s decision to include a “key man” clause in his contract, allowing him to enter free agency if either Friedman or Walter departs, underscores the importance of their leadership. Ohtani remarked, “Everybody has to be on the same page in order to have a winning organization.”
As Walter transitions to overseeing the Lakers, the basketball community is left to wonder if he will afford Pelinka and Redick similar autonomy. Given Walter's track record, there is ample reason to believe his priorities for the Lakers will mirror those established with the Dodgers — a steadfast commitment to winning.
