The Los Angeles Sparks, a professional women's basketball team based in Los Angeles, compete in the Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded in the WNBA's first season in 1997 and operates independently of the NBA, although it shares market value associations with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
Presently, the team is undergoing a rebuilding phase and has been struggling to secure wins. Despite this, the recent addition of talented rookies such as Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson offers hope for constructing a strong team in the upcoming years.
Los Angeles Sparks owner
The Los Angeles Sparks are currently owned by Sparks LA Sports, a consortium that includes Mark Walter, Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten, Todd Boehly, Bobby Patton, and Eric Holoman. The team's ownership history has evolved significantly over the years. Jerry Buss was the original owner from 1997 to 2006. Ownership then passed to Gemini Basketball LLC, made up of Carla Christofferson, Kathy Goodman, and Lynai Jones, from 2006 to 2011. From 2011 to 2014, the team was under the ownership of Williams Group Holdings, led by Paula Madison, with Carla Christofferson, Kathy Goodman, and Lisa Leslie also playing a role from 2011 to 2013. Since 2014, the team has been owned by Sparks LA Sports.
Mark Walter
Mark Walter is an American businessman who serves as the CEO of Guggenheim Partners, a global financial services firm headquartered in Chicago and New York. Additionally, Walter is the part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a Major League Baseball team where he serves as chairman and recently became co-owner of Chelsea FC. He also owns a team in the Professional Women's Hockey League. Guggenheim Partners manages assets exceeding $325 billion.
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a legendary American basketball player, widely regarded as the greatest point guard in history. Johnson played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and earned many individual and team recognitions including five NBA championships, three NBA Finals MVP awards, and three NBA Most Valuable Player awards.
Beyond his playing career, he is a founding member of Guggenheim Baseball Management, which oversees the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, he holds ownership stakes in the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, MLS's Los Angeles FC, and the NFL's Washington Commanders.
Stan Kasten
Stan Kasten is currently the president and part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and is also part of the ownership group of the Los Angeles Sparks. Previously, he served as president of both the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals. Kasten has extensive experience in Atlanta's professional sports scene, having been the general manager of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and president of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers.
FAQ's On Los Angeles Sparks's owner
A. The Los Angeles Sparks was founded in 1997 and has played in 24 seasons of the WNBA.
A. The Los Angeles Sparks have won 3 times the WNBA championship.
A. Sparky, the mascot of the Los Angeles Sparks.
A. In the 2024 WNBA Draft, Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson are picked by Sparks.
