Major Crossover in Los Angeles Sports
In a notable crossover between major Los Angeles sports franchises, executives Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman from the Dodgers are stepping into advisory positions with the Lakers amid a significant ownership shift. As confirmed by various sources to ESPN, this transition marks the baton-passing from the Buss family to Mark Walter, who is taking the reins as the majority owner.
Roles of Zaidi and Friedman
Zaidi, notable for his expertise in analytics and currently serving as a special adviser to the Dodgers, is said to be acting as Walter’s liaison during this period of change. His role involves facilitating the transition processes that come with the new ownership dynamics. Similarly, Friedman, who holds the title of president of baseball operations for the Dodgers, is offering his insights primarily as a consultant to the Lakers’ president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka. Friedman has played a substantial role in the Dodgers’ recent successes, including three World Series championships within the last six years.
Ownership Transition and Financials
Following Walter’s acquisition of the Lakers, which was officially validated on October 29 with a staggering sale price of $10 billion, both franchises are positioned to operate under the umbrella of TWG Sports, an organization Walter formed to manage all his sports interests. Reports indicate that as part of this integration, Zaidi has also provided advice to the Los Angeles Sparks, a WNBA team owned by Walter.
Immediate Changes and Continuity
This transition has led to immediate changes within the Lakers’ scouting department; recent actions included the termination of several scouting personnel, including Joey and Jesse Buss, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Notably, Jeanie Buss will continue in her role as the team’s governor for a minimum of five years, ensuring continuity amid the governance transition.
