Los Angeles Dodgers executives Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman have reportedly taken on advisory roles with the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the ownership transition from the Buss family to Mark Walter, sources told ESPN’s Romana Shelburne on Friday.
Dodgers Execs To Lead NBA Franchise
Dodgers owner Mark Walter, who was approved as the new owner of the Lakers last month, has appointed Zaidi as a “representative in helping with the transition” in team ownership, per Shelburne.
Meanwhile, Friedman is the president of baseball operations with the Dodgers. The MLB executive primarily consults with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
Friedman has helped the Dodgers win three of the past six World Series.
BREAKING: Dodgers executives Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman have taken on advisory roles with the Lakers, per @ramonashelburne.
The Sedano and Kap Morning Show broke it down on ESPN LA 📲: https://t.co/lkcdAhao68 pic.twitter.com/O34JrRkORE
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) November 21, 2025
Per Shelburne, both the Lakers and Dodgers are expected to become part of TWG Sports, the entity Walter established to oversee all his sports holdings.
In addition to owning the Lakers and Dodgers, Walter and TWG Sports also run the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Zaidi has reportedly been consulting with the Sparks.
Lakers Fired Joey Buss, Jesse Buss
On Thursday, the Lakers terminated several members of their scouting department, including alternate governor Joey Buss and assistant general manager Jesse Buss, the brothers told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Walter purchased the Lakers from the Buss family at a $10 billion valuation. He was approved as the new majority owner of the marquee NBA franchise on Oct. 29.
The Lakers announced that Jeanie Buss will remain as the team’s governor “for the foreseeable future.” Shelburne noted that Buss will hold the position for at least the next five years.
Under new leadership, L.A. is in search of its first NBA title since 2020.
The Lakers are off to a surprising start this season, going 11-4 with standout guard Austin Reaves and superstar Luka Doncic, who the team acquired from the Dallas Mavericks at last season’s trade deadline.
Future Hall of Famer LeBron James also missed the Lakers’ first 14 games due to sciatica, but he returned to play in Tuesday night’s 140-126 win over the Utah Jazz.
James, who turns 41 on Dec. 30, became the first NBA player to play in 23 seasons while also climbing to sixth on the league’s all-time list for career 3-pointers made.
Per ESPN Stats & Information, James made a driving layup in the third quarter to extend his streak of double-digit scoring performances to a record 1,293 games — every game in which he has played since Jan. 6, 2007.
The Lakers are currently on a three-game win streak.
