The owner of the Los Angeles Lakers is in trouble. The FBI has seized his phone and computer.

Mark Walter, majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Dodgers, has found himself at the center of an expanding federal investigation into potential financial misconduct involving his business empire. According to reports from American media, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized his mobile phone and laptop during a private flight landing at Chicago’s Midway Airport in September 2023. The search was conducted under a court order, and the probe focuses on the financial operations of Walter's business holdings rather than the sports franchises he owns. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Manhattan office and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are investigating alleged irregularities in the management of investment firm Guggenheim Partners and insurance companies Delaware Life and Clear Spring Life, all of which fall under Walter’s holding company, TWG Global. At the heart of the inquiry is approximately $16 billion in loans extended to affiliated firms, which, according to investigators, were not adequately disclosed to regulators. The probe reportedly began after a whistleblower complaint. Investigators allege that these insurance companies may have lent Walter’s holding up to $16 billion through a third-party entity not officially linked to him, thereby circumventing regulatory reporting requirements. Authorities are examining whether this constituted merely procedural compliance or if there is sufficient evidence for criminal action. In response to the ongoing investigation, Walter’s holding company issued a statement affirming full cooperation with the authorities and expressing confidence that the process will conclude favorably. To date, no formal charges have been filed against Walter or his businesses, nor have any allegations been made regarding the Lakers, Dodgers, or other sports franchises under his ownership. Walter, who has long maintained close ties with former President Donald Trump, has previously gifted Trump a championship ring. Analysts suggest that favorable relations with the former president could potentially influence the outcome of the investigation, given the political connections established over recent years. Fans of Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and other players have expressed hope that Walter would inject more capital into the team compared to previous owners. While some changes have been implemented, including restructuring offices within the franchise, observers argue that the transformation has not been comprehensive enough. Particularly notable is the lack of a robust analytics infrastructure, which is considered essential for competing at the highest level. The Lakers, one of the most storied franchises in the NBA, continue to navigate challenges both on and off the court. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on the financial dealings of Walter’s business interests, with no immediate indication that the sports teams themselves are directly implicated. The situation underscores the complex interplay between personal wealth, corporate governance, and legal scrutiny in the world of professional sports.