Fans finally have an answer about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ future, with the sale rumors floating around. Dodgers principal owner Mark Walter’s latest business moves sparked concern surrounding the franchise and its ownership. After Walter sold the Los Angeles Lakers, the WNBA team, speculation about whether the Dodgers were in for an ownership change as well surfaced. As the team aims for a third consecutive World Series, president Stan Kasten has come out to put the rumors at rest.

“The Dodgers are not being sold,” said Kasten, per Fredo Cervantes on X. “They’re not going to be sold. They’re not for sale. There’s no process that has been started to sell it. Period.”

Guggenheim Partners purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers from their previous owners in 2012. Walter has been the team’s controlling owner ever since. He bought the Dodgers for $2.15B from Frank McCourt, the team’s previous owner. After 14 years, the Dodgers’ valuation has climbed to $7.8 B, per Forbes.

With Guggenheim Partners not hesitating to spend on payroll and infrastructure, the Dodgers flourished. They renovated Dodger Stadium, installed new batting cages, and even signed one of the best players in baseball history, Shohei Ohtani. During the span of Walter’s ownership, the Dodgers not only made regular postseason appearances but also won three World Series Championships. The last time they missed the playoffs was in 2012.

As the Dodgers reach the end of the regular season, Kasten reiterated that the Dodgers are not going to be sold. The Lakers’ sale will not affect the MLB franchise or his other business ventures in sports. Though what happens with his minority stake in Chelsea F.C remains to be seen. Apart from the Dodgers, Walter’s sports portfolio includes the Professional Women’s Hockey League and his ventures into motorsports. Kasten believes those would remain intact. 

“One thing — we’re all certain about this — the sports portfolio is going to remain intact,” Kasten said, per MLB.com. “It’s important to Mark. I can’t tell you how important the Dodgers are to Mark. The Lakers thing? The Lakers were important to him, too, but it’s kind of an extraordinary opportunity, which he took.”

Walter finalised the Lakers’ sale in 72 hours. It came as a shock to the sports community, especially since he bought the team only 14 months ago. He sold it for $12.5B and made a $2.5B profit from the sale. However, what makes Walter’s decisions more intriguing than simple business moves is the current federal investigation he is undergoing.

The Securities and Exchange Commission, alongside federal prosecutors, is investigating Walter’s insurance entities. Authorities are probing TWG Global, Delaware Life Insurance Co., and Clear Spring Life & Annuity Co., along with Guggenheim Partners, over whether billions of dollars in private credit investments were improperly tied to Walter’s other businesses. Walter has not been charged with any crimes.