Lakers Undergo Major Shake-Up as Franchise Cuts Staff

The Los Angeles Lakers are continuing to reshape the organization under new ownership, and this week that restructuring reportedly led to significant layoffs across multiple departments.

“The Los Angeles Lakers informed more than a dozen employees Wednesday they were being laid off as part of a reorganization under new franchise leadership,” according to ESPN.

The changes come less than a year after businessman Mark Walter officially took over ownership of the Lakers in a deal valued at $10 billion, ending the Buss family’s nearly five-decade run controlling one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.

“The Lakers’ sale to businessman Mark Walter at a $10 billion valuation was approved by the NBA board of governors in October, after the team had been owned by the Buss family for nearly 50 years,” ESPN reported.

Several key business positions have already changed hands over the past few months as the new ownership group continues building out its executive structure.

“The franchise has already undergone significant changes in the past several months on the business side, with Lon Rosen being hired as president of business operations, replacing longtime president Tim Harris; Michael Spetner being hired as chief strategy and growth officer; and Ryan Kantor hired as vice president of global partnerships,” according to ESPN.

The layoffs reportedly impacted multiple departments throughout the organization.

While the business side has seen cuts and restructuring, the Lakers have aggressively expanded their basketball operations department this offseason.

Tony Bennett, the former Virginia head coach and two-time Naismith Coach of the Year, was recently brought in by Rob Pelinka to serve as a draft consultant and advisor.

L.A. also hired Rohan Ramadas as assistant general manager of strategy and data systems earlier this week. Ramadas, who previously worked with the New Orleans Pelicans, has been heavily involved in analytics and AI-driven front office systems.