Mark Walter’s Dodgers-like transformation of LA continues with the latest hire

Los Angeles Lakers new owner Mark Walter continues to make major changes to the organization’s basketball and business operations departments, and on Wednesday he made another addition to his new staff.

After hiring Lon Rosen as the Lakers’ new president of business operations a few weeks ago, Walter and the organization announced Wednesday that Michael Spetner has been named the new director of strategy and growth.

Spetner spent the last decade of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgerswho most recently held the title of the organization’s vice president of business strategy and analytics. Working with Walter for the Dodgers, Spetner was instrumental in the franchise’s commercial capabilities, implementing new business models for rights holders and modernizing the fan ecosystem.

In this newly created role with the Lakers, Spetner will lead the organization’s long-term business strategy to drive value and identify opportunities for international growth.

“As we seek to redefine what’s possible across the sports landscape for fans and partners, we will build on the Lakers’ legacy and look to the future to consider what’s next,” Rosen said in a team statement. “Michael’s leadership will help us optimize our business to ensure long-term value.”

The role, hand-crafted for Spetner, seems like a continuation of what he’s been doing with the Dodgers, as he’s done a lot of international outreach and spearheaded LA’s efforts to start a Japan-based fan club. He was also instrumental in creating an impressive museum-style exhibit in Tokyo to celebrate the history and global appeal of the Dodgers.

The Lakers announced Spetner’s hiring exactly one week after adding the former NCAA champion and Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett as the organization’s new NBA draft advisor.

In this role, Bennett will play a key role alongside the executive branch Rob Pelinka in the Lakers’ decisions during and before the draft, helping with player evaluation, scouting and final decisions on who the organization should select.

As for Pelinka’s role on the team moving forward, Walter and Rosen have made it clear they intend to there are no changes executive status and ability to usher in a new era of success for the Lakers.

“I just run the business side, Rob is authorized to do what he does,” Rosen said, via ESPN. “Look, I have a really good relationship with Rob. I know Rob Pelinka from when he represented Kobe (Bryant). I met him many, many years ago.”

Since by purchasing the Lakers from Jeannie Bass and her familyWalter continued to set this historic organization up for success by making key decisions on the business side of basketball. Spetner is just the latest name to join this newly revamped staff, featuring many of the faces that have turned the Dodgers into an MLB powerhouse.

Walter’s goal is to do the same with the Lakers in the NBA.