Even after agreeing to sell his majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, former controlling owner Mark Walter’s ownership saga appears far from over.
Reportedly, Walter is also exploring the possibility of selling his stake in English Premier League club Chelsea. His latest move has prompted prominent NBA analysts to take a sly jab at the billionaire.
NBA Analysts Deliver Blunt Verdict on Mark Walter’s Rapid Team Sell-Off
Last week, Walter made headlines after selling the Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger in a record-breaking $12.5 billion deal.
Now, Walter is reportedly exploring the sale of his stake in Chelsea to Clearlake Capital. According to reports, his family office recently contacted the private equity firm to discuss the possibility of selling his interest in the Premier League club.
Walter and Todd Boehly had purchased stakes in the English soccer club from sanctioned owner Roman Abramovich for $3.11 billion in 2022.
The development quickly caught the attention of prominent NBA analyst Bill Simmons, who noted how unusual it is for an owner to begin selling major sports assets so quickly.
“The Clippers story is 1/1000th as interesting as Mark Walter frantically selling his sports assets one by one right now,” Simmons wrote.
The Clippers story is 1/1000th as interesting as Mark Walter frantically selling his sports assets one by one right now… https://t.co/tutOe0bjRI
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) August 17, 2026
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports soon reposted Simmons’ comments and agreed that the broader situation surrounding Walter was far more pressing than the Los Angeles Clippers’ story on Leonard’s endorsement deal.
“Agreed. Even if the Clippers did circumvent the salary cap, it’s small potatoes compared to the historic, multi-billion-dollar fraud alleged against Mark Walter,” O’Connor wrote.
Agreed. Even if the Clippers did circumvent the salary cap, it’s small potatoes compared to the historic, multi-billion-dollar fraud alleged against Mark Walter. https://t.co/19eNNalk6e
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) August 17, 2026
Walter agreed to sell his majority stake in the Lakers just 14 months after agreeing to purchase it at a $10 billion valuation. The decision comes as his business dealings are reportedly facing scrutiny from U.S. authorities.
Federal prosecutors and the SEC have reportedly been investigating Walter over allegations of loan fraud. That probe centers on accusations that he concealed financial reporting while allegedly routing roughly $20-$21 billion in policyholder funds from life insurance companies under his control through four intermediary or shell companies.
Sources indicate no sale of either Boehly’s or Walter’s Chelsea stake is considered imminent. Nonetheless, the latest updates have fueled questions about Walter’s next move and whether another major sports asset could eventually be placed on the market.
O’Connor had already raised that possibility while discussing the situation, wondering whether Walter could eventually look to sell his stake in the L.A Dodgers as well.
“I’m ready for that to be resolved, but boy, this Mark Walter one, it feels like in some ways we’re just at the beginning, the tip of the iceberg of what could be happening there,” O’Connor said.
There have been no reports that Boehly and Walter are currently entertaining offers for their stakes in the Dodgers ownership group.
