A pair of Jewish businessmen gave the Lakers their name. Now another Jewish duo is buying the team.
Back when the National Basketball Association was little more than a startup, two Jewish businessmen named Benjamin Berger and Morris Chalfen bought the worst team in the sport, the Detroit Gems, for $15,000. They relocated…
Assessment
The sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to a new Jewish ownership group closes a historical loop that began with the team's original Jewish founders in Minneapolis. The transaction highlights how Jewish investment has shaped professional basketball from its early days as a regional enterprise to its current status as a global brand. Attention will focus on whether the new owners maintain the franchise's championship culture or pursue a different strategic direction.