Although Frank McCourt helped usher the Los Angeles Dodgers back into prominence, his tenure as owner was ultimately marred by dragging the organization into bankruptcy court. McCourt and MLB eventually reached an agreement to auction off the Dodgers, with the Guggenheim Baseball Management group purchasing the team for a record $2.15 billion.
The new owners were comprised of successful businessmen, a former baseball executive and a familiar face that resonated in Los Angeles. Together, Mark Walter, Peter Guber, Stan Kasten and Magic Johnson have guided the Dodgers back to their standing as a powerhouse franchise.
Several members of the ownership group are involved in other ventures, and in some cases are business parters outside of the Dodgers.
Such is the case with Guber and Johnson, who were named among the 2018 Sports Titans by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Guber and Johnson both own a percentage of e-sports franchise Team Liquid, as well as the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) whose inaugural season begins March 2018.
Beyond his ownership stake in the Dodgers, Johnson currently resides as Lakers president of basketball operations.
He was part of a groundswell change in the Lakers front office last season, which saw the team’s principal owner Jeanie Buss oust brother Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak. Jeanie was also named a Sports Titan by the publication.
The front-office overhaul included hiring Kobe Bryant’s former agent, Rob Pelinka, as Lakers general manager. While Johnson was again tabbed to run point guard for the famed NBA franchise, his duties and standing with the Dodgers remained unchanged.
Guber is the co-managing partner of the Golden State Warriors, who have won two NBA championships in the past three seasons, and are in position to compete for another this season.
