Kasten: Dodgers 'not for sale' despite owner's $12.5B Lakers deal

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers president Stan Kasten attempted to calm online speculation about the future of the franchise under billionaire owner Mark Walter. "The Dodgers are not being sold. They're not for sale. There's no process that has been started to sell it, period," he told reporters on the field before the team's game against Pittsburgh. "We are planning only to win." The conjecture began earlier this month with Walter agreeing to a record-breaking $12.5 billion sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. Walter bought a controlling stake in the Dodgers from the Buss family last year. "I can't tell you how important the Dodgers are to Mark," Kasten said. "The Lakers thing? The Lakers were important to him too, but it's an extraordinary opportunity he took." Multiple media outlets last month reported that Walter's business empire is under scrutiny from federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission in tax fraud investigations. Walter is cooperating with the investigation. "I know nothing involving the Dodgers is part of the investigation," Kasten said, declining to go into specifics. The 66-year-old Walter, based in Chicago as CEO of Guggenheim Partners, has overseen a successful run for the Dodgers, including three World Series championships in six seasons. He has also lavished big-money contracts on players like four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani. "I think Mark has done an extraordinary job as an owner," Kasten said, "and all he's ever cared about is providing the best experience to make us more money and make this project successful. I expect that to continue far into the future." Kasten also noted Walter is not exploring sales of other sports properties, including the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, the Professional Women's Hockey League, and TWG Motorsports.