Walter bought Lakers for $10 billion

Mark Walter, who owned the Dodgers since 2012, agreed to purchase majority ownership of the Lakers from the Buss family in June 2025.

FBI seized his devices first

Three months after the purchase agreement, the FBI seized Walter's phone and computer as federal prosecutors launched an investigation into his business dealings.

NBA found no red flags

Silver said the league vetted Walter thoroughly, speaking to government agencies and regulators. They approved him as majority owner in October 2025.

“We spoke to governmental agencies. We spoke to, in the case of Mark Walter, a heavily regulated insurance agency. We found no red flags.”

Walter sold to Kushner and Iger

After less than a year, Walter sold the Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger in August for a record $12.5 billion valuation.

Silver learned after the deal

The commissioner didn't know Walter was selling until Kushner and Iger told him they had a handshake agreement. Walter wasn't being investigated by the NBA.

“I had no prior notion that he was intending to sell his team until I heard from the buyers that they had a handshake with him.”

Multiple investigations underway

Two of Walter's insurance companies received grand jury subpoenas in February. Federal prosecutors in New York and the SEC are conducting separate investigations.

League defends vetting process

Silver said the NBA does intensive database searches state by state and interviews people with knowledge of potential owners. They're always reassessing their methods.

“In fairness to him, I don't know where those investigations are going to come out.”