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LeBron Wins His 4th MVP: Today in Sports History

On May 5th, 2013, LeBron James earned 120 of 121 first place votes for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award, nearly becoming the first player to win it unanimously. LeBron averaged 26.8 points, 7.3 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and nearly a block per game in what has been his most recent MVP season. In his previous five seasons, James was named MVP four times. The only player besides LeBron to earn a first place vote was Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks. While his case may have been compelling, the box scores favor Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who finished second in voting overall with 765 points. Melo finished third, with 475 points. LeBron capped off his MVP season with his second championship ring and his second (of four, funnily enough) Finals MVP award. Unless LeBron finds the fountain of youth or undergoes medical treatments never before seen in human history, this is the final MVP award the King has claimed.

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Blocked By Jeanie

The Buss family’s 47 year ownership of the Lakers may be approaching a messy conclusion. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that at least five of Jerry Buss’s six children voted to sell the family trust’s remaining 17.8% stake to the prospective ownership group led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. If completed, the sale would leave Jeanie Buss below the NBA’s reported 15% ownership requirement for serving as team governor. But Jeanie is challenging the vote. In a legal letter first obtained by CNBC, her attorney argued that the shares cannot be sold without the approval of the trust’s co-trustees - Jeanie, Janie and Joey Bus - and cited a court order requiring the family to retain enough ownership for Jeanie to remain in control. The dispute follows Mark Walter’s agreement to sell his controlling interest in the Lakers to the Kushner-Iger group at a $12.5 billion valuation - less than a year after purchasing it at a $10 billion valuation. The Lakers may be changing hands for the second time in a year, but the Buss family’s fight over the franchise is not over yet.

@nick

Mark Walter Under Investigation

Mark Walter’s sudden sale of the Lakers may be connected to a federal investigation involving his insurance companies. Joe Pompliano reports that Walter revised the amount of insurance company assets loaned to businesses he controlled from $1.4 billion to $21 billion. Federal prosecutors and the SEC are investigating, having already seized Walter’s phone and computer. Meanwhile Walter has reportedly been working to raise billions and restructure those loans. Pompliano believes the financial pressure likely contributed to Walter selling the Lakers shortly after acquiring control of the franchise, although that connection has not been officially confirmed. The potential fallout could extend across Walter’s sports portfolio that includes not only the Lakers but other top tier franchises like the Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the Cadillac Formula 1 team. Darren Rovell warned that the Guggenheim related entanglements could, at minimum, lead to additional team sales. Jacob of @AndThatsBB also noted that Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers contract contains a provision allowing him to opt out if Walter or Andrew Friedman is no longer involved with the team. This remains a developing story but the dominos that are in place to fall here are massive. Sources: Joe Pompliano/Huddle Up; Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell); Jacob (@AndThatsBB); Reuters; ESPN.

@nick

Lakers Sold for Record $12B

Per Ramona Shelbourne (X @ramonashelburne) - The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold to American businessman Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record breaking price over $12 billion, multiple sources told ESPN. Kushner and Iger were involved in the expansion process in Las Vegas, but a stunning turn, they pivoted to make an aggressive offer to buy the Lakers from Mark Walter, who had purchased a controlling interest in the team from the Buss family last year.