Mark Walter Hopes Dodgers Fans Know They’re Appreciated

Any result other than a World Series title was going to be a disappointment for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026. The resources invested in the team during both the offseason and at the trade deadline, coupled with the stakes of pursuing a three-peat, made that expectation all but a guarantee.

Dodgers chairman and controlling owner Mark Walter shares fans’ disappointment with this season but wanted to express his appreciation for their support throughout the year, according to Jack Harris of the California Post.

“I really hope that the fans feel how much we appreciate them, because we’re all fans too,” he said. “And this [year] was a kind of bad end to the season for us. But you’ve got to look at how we’ve done every year and really realize they’re gonna come back and support us again next year, because we’re going to be out there fighting again for a World Series.”

The Dodgers reached 4 million in home attendance and averaged more than 49,000 fans per game for a second consecutive season.

This season set a new franchise attendance record with 4,034,219 fans attending games. The Dodgers reached 4 million in home attendance for the first time in the team’s history last season.

The 2019 season was the only other time Dodgers’ average attendance reached 49,000 per game.

MLB’s franchise record for home attendance in a single season is 4,483,350, set by the Colorado Rockies when they played at Mile High Stadium during their inaugural year in 1993. The Dodgers are the first team to draw over 4 million in back-to-back seasons since the New York Yankees did so in four consecutive years from 2005-08.

Dodgers fans consistently help create one of the best home-field advantages in the Majors, which certainly plays a part in the team’s success. The Dodgers have a 658-345 record at home since 2014, which includes a 51-30 record this season.

Mark Walter is not selling the Dodgers

Despite an ongoing federal investigation and the sale of numerous holdings as he continues to liquidate his assets, Walter remains intent on keeping the prestigious baseball club.

He is under parallel investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Walter’s efforts to raise capital amid the investigation include selling his stakes in the Los Angeles Lakers and Chelsea Football Club.

These actions have continued to fuel speculation of a potential sale, despite the Dodgers doing their best to shut down that talk.

In his first public comments regarding a potential sale of the Dodgers, Walter unequivocally said that option was not on the table.