Pro sports executive Chris McGowan provides insight on Lakers' blockbuster sale

LOS ANGELES - The Dodgers and Lakers: Two global sports titans joining forces.

The new partnership – Mark Walter-led Guggenheim Partners is poised to buy the Lakers in a record-setting $10 billion deal expected to close later this year – also creates a unique business partnership that extends well beyond the baseball field and the basketball court.

Chris McGowan, a long-time sports business executive, knows that side of the business very well. His resume is highlighted by successful key front office roles with the Kings, Galaxy, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings.    

Now, after a two-year position helping Major League Soccer at league headquarters in New York, McGowan has launched Dos Anillos Sports, a global sports advisory firm, and is working with Koomba as a Strategic Advisor to advance mental healthcare in sports.

He answered these questions from The Sporting Tribune:

Q: What was your initial reaction to the news?

A: I was curious and optimistic. Any time a franchise like the Lakers makes a major shift in ownership, it’s a big moment for the industry. Mark Walter’s involvement signals a long-term, thoughtful approach. He’s done great work with the Dodgers, and this move suggests he sees value in legacy brands and how to evolve them for the future.  It’s also a sign that the industry is healthy and sports continues to be a smart investment.

Q: Were you surprised about the deal, especially in that there was not much, if any, media speculation prior to the news breaking?

A: Yes—these types of deals almost always surface through rumors or leaks ahead of time, so the fact that this stayed completely under wraps was impressive. It speaks to how disciplined and private both sides were. That’s not easy to pull off in today’s media landscape.

Q: How much does it benefit this new Lakers regime that Walter/Guggenheim Partners has the experience they have in running the Dodgers?

A: It’s a major advantage. The Guggenheim team understands what it takes to run a world-class franchise in a competitive, high-profile market like L.A. They’ve shown they can respect tradition while modernizing operations and growing enterprise value. That experience will help them hit the ground running with the Lakers.

Q: How do you believe the Dodgers and Lakers can best work together?

A: There’s a real opportunity to create synergy—not just through business operations, but through branding, community outreach, and fan engagement. L.A. is a cultural city as much as a sports city, and these two brands can amplify each other if they collaborate in smart, authentic ways. It’s not just about shared sponsorships—it’s about telling a unified story across sports and entertainment.

Q: Do you see organizations such as the Lakers -- under the leadership of a singular family since 1979 -- being something that will be less and less prominent going forward? 

A: Maybe. The financial and operational demands of running a modern sports franchise are so significant that it’s becoming harder for single-family ownership to compete. We’re seeing more institutional ownership and multi-partner groups come into play. But that doesn’t mean families won’t still have a role—legacy, values, and history matter. It’s just going to look different, with new models of collaboration.

Q: What can be the pitfalls of running two sports brands at the same time?

A: Focus and culture. Each franchise has its own identity, rhythm, and expectations. You can’t cut and paste what works for one onto the other. It takes great leadership, strong internal communication, and an understanding that the fan experience must always come first. There’s also the risk of assuming success in one market guarantees success in another—it rarely works that way.

Q: With your new global sports advisory firm, Dos Anillos Sports, what is the type of advice you look to give to those at the forefront of innovation in sports and entertainment?

A: We’re helping teams, leagues, and ownership groups think and operate more strategically. That includes acquisition support, organizational assessments, revenue planning, fan experience consulting—you name it. We draw on decades of real-world experience to give practical, forward-looking guidance. Our goal is to help sports organizations thrive in an era of disruption and innovation.

Q: You recently joined Koomba, a top AI-powered mental health and performance company for athletes, as a Strategic Advisor. How much of an impact do you see mental health and the need for proper resilience support playing a role in sports now at any level?

A: Mental health in sports is something I care deeply about—especially in youth and college sports. My son plays high-level college soccer, and I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for athletes to have tools and support systems in place to manage stress and stay resilient.

What Koomba is building fills a huge need. They’re using technology in a way that meets athletes where they are—without stigma or friction. I’m excited to be part of something that could reshape how we support performance from the inside out. It’s personal for me, and I know it’s personal for a lot of families out there navigating the demands of high-level sports.

Q: And, finally, you know the Southern California marketplace very well. With your most recent position serving as an executive with Major League Soccer, how do you see clubs like LAFC and the LA Galaxy in particular continue to grow their product along with MLS on the whole? 

A: I’ve seen firsthand how MLS has evolved into one of the most ambitious and strategically positioned leagues in global sports. With continued expansion, increased investment, and a transformative media partnership with Apple, the league is on a strong upward trajectory. The runway for growth — both domestically and internationally — is significant, especially as we approach the 2026 World Cup.

In the L.A. market, both the Galaxy and LAFC are key drivers of that momentum. The Galaxy carry legacy and global brand equity, and their opportunity now is to modernize the fan experience while reconnecting with L.A.’s diverse communities.

LAFC, meanwhile, has built a culturally resonant, design-forward brand that’s deeply integrated into the city. Their growth potential lies in expanding their global reach, commercial innovation, and continuing to lead in fan engagement. Both clubs reflect the league’s broader potential — and as L.A. thrives, it amplifies MLS’s global relevance. The foundation is strong, and I believe the league is just getting started.

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McGowan leaving MLS to start property-side consultancy