Lakers Appoint Dodgers Executive Lon Rosen as President of Business Operations
Los Angeles, Saturday, 21 February 2026.
The Los Angeles Lakers have appointed veteran sports executive Lon Rosen as their new President of Business Operations, signaling a strategic alignment with majority owner Mark Walter’s vision. Rosen, who previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, replaces long-time executive Tim Harris. This transition underscores an effort to emulate the Dodgers’ robust business infrastructure following Walter’s acquisition of the franchise at a reported $10 billion valuation. In a compelling full-circle moment, Rosen returns to the organization where he began his career as an intern during the 1980s “Showtime” era, tasked now with maximizing the brand’s potential in a rapidly evolving sports landscape.
Strategic Leadership Transition
The appointment, officially announced on Thursday, February 19, 2026, marks the first major executive transfer between the two Los Angeles powerhouses since Mark Walter finalized his majority acquisition of the Lakers in October 2025 [1][4]. Rosen is set to succeed Tim Harris, a staple of the Lakers’ front office who is stepping down after a 35-year tenure that included negotiating the franchise’s landmark $3 billion Spectrum SportsNet deal in 2012 [2]. While Harris will conclude his service at the end of the current season, Rosen’s arrival indicates an immediate pivot toward the operational strategies that turned the Dodgers into a financial and competitive juggernaut [2][5].
Integrating the “Dodgers Model”
Since 2012, Rosen has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Dodgers, coinciding with the Guggenheim Baseball Management era led by Walter [2][5]. During his tenure, the Dodgers not only secured three World Series titles in the last six years but also consistently led Major League Baseball in attendance and achieved year-over-year revenue growth [1][5]. This track record is central to the Lakers’ current objective; General Manager Rob Pelinka recently noted the franchise’s intention to add depth to its off-court organization by emulating the successful front-office structure established by the Dodgers [1]. Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations, has also served as an advisor during this transitional period, opening a pipeline of expertise between the two franchises [4].
Bridging Past and Future
Despite the fresh strategic direction, Rosen’s hiring represents a homecoming. His career in sports management began with the “Showtime” Lakers in the 1980s, where he worked as an intern and later an executive between 1980 and 1987 [3][4]. His subsequent career included a prominent role as an agent and business partner to Lakers legend Magic Johnson [1][3]. In a statement regarding the hire, Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss—who retains her leadership role under the new ownership structure—highlighted Rosen’s deep understanding of the industry’s values and his unique dual history with both franchises [1][2]. Rosen acknowledged the shifting landscape of sports economics in his acceptance, emphasizing a commitment to employees, partners, and the global fan experience [2][5].
Operational Overhaul Underway
This leadership change occurs against the backdrop of a broader organizational restructuring initiated after Walter purchased the franchise for a reported $10 billion valuation [1]. The transition has already seen significant personnel shifts, including the dismissal of the entire scouting department in November 2025 [3]. Looking ahead, the organization plans to make significant additional hires across various front-office positions this coming summer, further solidifying the integration of Walter’s operational philosophy into the 17-time NBA champions’ business model [3].