The controversial measure that the Lakers will implement next season

The new era at Los Angeles Lakers under the ownership of Mark Walter is starting to show clear signs on the economic front. After acquiring the franchise with a valuation close to 10,000 million dollars, the ownership group plans a significant increase in ticket prices for the 2026-27 season.

According to details revealed by Rob Pérez on social media, some season ticket holders will see price increases of 14% in their seats, along with a new 3% administrative fee if they do not pay the full amount in advance.

However, the impact is much greater in certain sectors. A level 300 ticket holder showed to ESPN that the cost of their package will go from $6,192 in 2025-26 to $9,035 in 2026-27, when it was $5,494 in 2024-25. That represents an increase of 45.9%, well above the 12.7% applied in the previous cycle.

The franchise confirmed the adjustment in a statement: "We are adjusting season ticket prices for the upcoming season. The updates reflect the current market landscape and demand."

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An Almost Full Stadium

The numbers support the demand argument. In the first 26 home games this season, the Lakers average 18,877 spectators per game. The Crypto.com Arena has a capacity of 18,910 for NBA games, implying a 99.8% occupancy.

Walter has already demonstrated his ability to maximize income in another of his sports properties, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who recently set an attendance record with over four million fans in the regular season.

Changes Also in the Leadership

The announcement coincides with the departure of Tim Harris, president of commercial operations, who will be stepping down at the end of the season. Among the possible replacements is Lon Rosen, the current executive of the Dodgers.

In the email sent to season ticket holders, Harris highlighted the team's sporting appeal, mentioning Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves as pillars of the show, in addition to emphasizing the leadership of coach JJ Redick.

The message is clear: the Lakers believe that their on-court product — with established stars and a consistently hot market— justifies the increase. The question now is how much fans will be willing to pay to continue being part of the purple and gold spectacle.