Mark Walter’s low public profile has long been part of his reputation, but a new Wall Street Journal report has put his health under a brighter spotlight.
According to reporting by Andrew Beaton, Justin Baer, and Margot Patrick, Walter suffered a stroke during the 2024 World Series. The Journal said that just 10 days earlier, Walter had spoken on the field after his team advanced to play the New York Yankees, but only people close to him knew he was dealing with a medical emergency at the time.
“ Just 10 days earlier, Walter had spoken on the field after his team advanced to play the New York Yankees. At the time, only those close to Walter knew he was dealing with a medical emergency: Midway through the World Series, he had suffered a stroke, people familiar with the matter said.”
The report added:
“ Since then, Walter’s health status has become a matter of concern inside his business empire, with varying opinions on whether lingering effects from the stroke have impacted his fitness to lead his businesses.”
The Journal also said Walter’s stroke was raised by his legal team during discussions with investigators, though the reason for doing so was not made clear.
Walter, who is the CEO of Guggenheim Partners and the owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and the MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, has also built a wide-ranging sports portfolio that includes stakes in the Cadillac Formula One Team and Chelsea FC. He is 66, and the scale of his responsibilities stretches well beyond the Lakers.
That matters because Guggenheim Partners manages nearly $362 billion in assets, and Walter also plays a central role in TWG Global, the investment conglomerate he founded with Thomas Tull. The people around him, from business partners to shareholders, have plenty riding on his ability to stay healthy and stay in charge.
The Journal said that in the days after the stroke, Walter “struggled to speak clearly,” which fits the severity of what he was dealing with. But there is also a sign of recovery: he recently spoke at the White House after the Dodgers won their second consecutive World Series title.
Asked about Walter’s ability to continue leading despite the health concerns, a TWG Global spokesperson said:
“Mark has the business acumen and judgment required to lead the company as he has done for more than 30 years. For anyone to suggest otherwise is factually inaccurate. He has the full support of shareholders, clients, and business partners.”
Still, the health report is only part of the larger cloud hanging over Walter. The ongoing investigation into his business dealings remains unresolved, along with questions tied to transactions dating back to 2019.
For the Lakers, that leaves a familiar but uncomfortable reality: their owner’s health, and the scrutiny around his business empire, are now part of the backdrop.
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