How long ago was that? Because this says they were valued at 7.1 Billion. https://www.reuters.com/legal/trans...le-la-lakers-10-billion-valuation-2025-06-19/ "The Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in National Basketball Association history. The team was valued at $7.1 billion by Forbes last year, behind only the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks in the NBA."
But it's not just about sending on the actual players' salaries, it's he money that they'll throw everywhere else. There's no salary cap on scouts. On trainers. On coaches. On front office personnel. On facilities. Looking at the Dodgers who they own, yes, they have a super high payroll, but they also consistently have one of the best minor league systems as well. And usually it doesn't work that way in baseball. But when you can hire the best scouts, and a lot of them, you tend to get better results.
It's the lack of a payroll that is the biggest reason they're able to do what they're doing. And even that has only lead to 1 legit title in the time they've owned the team. And that was as much SD choking as anything. The NBA cba is crippling to spending money like the Dodgers do.
Yes it's part of the giant NBA conspiracy where stars go to small markets and we ultimately get a finals with Oklahoma City/Indiana.
Agreed, the Lakers have basically spent like a small market the last two decades - especially non payroll expenses. This is a game changer. Instead they'll spend like Balmer but the allure of a way better brand. Yes with the CBA they won't blow past the luxury tax. But they still will now have a huge competitive advantage they lacked with the prior Buss family owners.
Since the new Lakers owner previously owned 25% of the franchise and won't own it all he only has to pay for an extra 48% to complete the purchase. So yes the valuation is 10 billion - but he's only paying 4.8 billion with this deal to become the majority owner. That might have led to a "markup" for him to get majority ownership. In other words if instead a new group had gone from 0%>100% ownership with a purchase perhaps it would have been less - like 8 billion.
Quite a bit of money for a team that took Covid relief funds. Apparently, the did return the money after getting called out publicly.
Thing is they took enough to make plenty on it while they had it and then returned the initial amount. So they essentially got to use that money for 18 months interest free.
Is it just me, or have the Lakers NOT been crazy spenders? They use the fact that players WANT to play in LA right? If this new owner comes out like Balmer spending wise…..watch out. This could have a major affect/effect on US!
He told us we would get a return on our money but I've yet to see it. Starting to think maybe the extra payments were just a way to get more out of me.
Thing is The Blazers are already in a bad place. The Spurs not only got the great Frenchman but now have the second pick this year. The Thunder are already looking like a possible dynasty. The T-Wolves have proven they are very good. The Mavs are going to capture the Flagg. Now the Lakers have an owner that will outspend any owner out there and as you said pretty much every player wants to go there. What exactly do the Blazers have to offer and what makes anyone think they will be relevant in the next decade?
We have to offer the best atmosphere imaginable. We have to take advantage of the strengths in our region and be willing to spend whatever it takes to bring in the best basketball minds and trainers. If we're serious about it we should probably spend more on coaching and training staff than any team in the league. I think Phil Knight would have done that. Or at least been in the upper echelon. I'm hoping whoever buys the team will have that kind of vision. I don't think money will be a problem, because you have to be so rich to buy a team to begin with. Problem is, with all of that vision and power, what makes them want to keep the team here? If the team has a chance to contend Portland has shown it will absolutely fill the Rose Garden and get LOUD. Hopefully that's enough...
Delusional hope. We've been running off it's for 25 years! Until national people say to watch out for the Blazers.... yeah we're probably just going to be afterthoughts. New owner is biggest potential improvement this franchise has over the next year. Could really swing the future of the team one way or the other.
"Best Atmosphere"? Really? Absolutely not. The next thing Blazer fans love to say is "Best Fans". C'mon now. That is the biggest Clich'e out there. Time for Blazer fans to come to grips with the fact that even if they become a good team they will not compete against the elite unless something very drastic happens. I just want to get back to making the playoffs and hoping for some luck. If they can at least be in the running they might get a good run and pull off some wins against teams that get some injuries. Obviously the Future is San Antonio, Dallas, OKC, Boston, Lakers and Pacers. That is 6 teams that the Blazers just won't be able to beat for at least the next 5 years.
By best atmosphere I mean the best team atmosphere. Have all of the facilities all of the staff, all of the coaching, all of the family services that any athlete could want. Make it feel like a family. Like they're losing something if they're not here. We're never going to be able to go out and get free agents to build this. We have to make something special that they can't find anywhere else. So that they don't want to leave. I'm not talking about a fan atmosphere in the games. I think that'll handle itself. I think Blazer fans are as good as any when we have a winning team. But we need to have the people in place in management, counseling, doctors, coaching, and in training that attract players. That the right kinds of players don't want to lose. I'm not saying it's going to happen. Or that'll be easy. Or even likely. In fact I think it'll be incredibly difficult. I'm saying that's what it will take for us to compete consistently. And that is all going to start with getting lucky enough to get the best owner in sports.
Portland seems to do best with Trades and Drafting. Yes I agree. Make/Keep it a place players want to stay.
Yep. It will absolutely have to come from trades and drafting. But we'll also need to have a great team of coaches, trainers, and management to develop a great plan and to help the players execute that plan at a higher level more consistently than any other team.
