There is new movement in the ownership structure of the Chicago Bulls.
Lukas Walton, 39, and his wife Samantha have acquired a minority stake in the NBA franchise, as well as in the United Center, the arena that also hosts the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. According to Forbes, the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Reinsdorf family, which has owned the Bulls since 1985, retains majority control of the franchise. Meanwhile, the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families continue to hold controlling stakes in the United Center.
Lukas Walton is the grandson of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart. He inherited roughly one-third of his father John Walton’s fortune after his death in a plane crash in 2005. His personal wealth is estimated at $45.8 billion, largely tied to holdings in Walmart and the family’s Arvest Bank group, which manages around $27 billion in assets.
NBA franchise valuations continue to surge
The Bulls are currently valued at around $6 billion by Forbes, ranking them sixth among NBA franchises in terms of market value and 19th globally among sports teams for profitability, with approximately $160 million in annual profits.
This transaction reflects a broader trend of rapidly rising valuations across U.S. sports franchises. The Los Angeles Lakers were sold last year for $10 billion to Mark Walter, setting a North American record, following the Boston Celtics’ sale at $6.1 billion.