Lakers sale raises questions about Shohei Ohtani's future

One knock-on effect from the unexpected sale of the Los Angeles Lakers is what it could mean for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Former Disney chief Bob Iger and businessman Josh Kushner agreed to purchase the Lakers from Mark Walter for $12.5 billion on Wednesday. Walter had only just purchased the team in June 2025, leading some to speculate whether his decision to sell the Lakers was related to the fact that he is under federal investigation for loan fraud. That then led to questions about whether Walter might consider selling the Dodgers as well.

Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year contract with the Dodgers contains a “key man” clause that would allow him to opt out if either Walter or team president Andrew Friedman left their positions. Essentially, if Walter were to sell the Dodgers, Ohtani would have the right to become a free agent.

The good news for Dodgers fans is that this appears far-fetched. Ohtani would be “unlikely” to exercise the clause even if Walter did sell, according to Sam Blum and Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic. Ohtani and his camp are convinced that the Dodgers are run well at all levels and happy to invest in the roster, and Walter’s exit would not change those assumptions.

The point may be moot as it is. Dodgers president Stan Kasten publicly said Wednesday that there is no link between the Lakers sale and the future of the Dodgers, and that no changes are coming to the baseball team.

Walter is CEO of Guggenheim Partners, which purchased the Dodgers in 2012. As a result of previous owner Frank McCourt’s bankruptcy proceedings, the team’s TV deal is largely shielded from MLB revenue sharing, which entitles them to at least $50 million more per year than other teams would get to keep. That exemption would not go away if Walter had to sell, either, which probably just makes Ohtani’s choice easier.