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Here’s Why Mark Walter May Have Sold The Lakers
Forbes • • business
Key Points:
- Federal investigators are examining whether insurers controlled by Mark Walter used four companies to improperly funnel billions of dollars in loans to other firms linked to Walter, amid regulatory scrutiny of his business empire.
- Walter sold the Los Angeles Lakers last week for $12.5 billion, a $2.5 billion increase from when he bought the team in June 2025, potentially providing funds to restructure the scrutinized loans.
- The Lakers' sale to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger sparked conspiracy theories about Trump administration influence, but a White House spokesperson denied any connection, noting Kushner is a Democrat with liberal donations.
- Walter, co-founder of Guggenheim Partners with a net worth of $7.3 billion, has faced multiple SEC investigations over the past decade related to conflicts of interest and bond trading practices, though no recent charges have been filed.
- Josh Kushner, whose Thrive Capital was an early investor in major tech firms, has an estimated net worth of $5.2 billion and is Jared Kushner’s younger brother; the sale followed a collapsed deal involving Thrive Capital and the FIFA World Cup.
