Metta Sandiford-Artest stated that he attempted to purchase a 1% minority ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter, but his offer was declined. Sandiford-Artest reached out to Walter after the businessman acquired the Buss family’s majority stake in the Lakers, which was valued at $10 billion in 2025. "I sent the email the next day, I tried to get in at $100 [million], and they didn’t let me in," Sandiford-Artest told the California Post. "But I wish he had let me in. That would’ve been great to have a former Laker as an owner, especially with the Buss family gone. It would’ve been great to have a Laker, a champion like Metta World Peace."
Less than a year after Walter purchased the Lakers, he agreed to sell his stake to former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner for a record valuation of $12.5 billion on August 12. This deal is pending approval from the NBA Board of Governors. Walter is currently under investigation by federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission for potential loan fraud.
Sandiford-Artest, who played for the Lakers for six seasons and won a championship alongside Kobe Bryant in 2010, expressed his belief that the Lakers' valuation would continue to rise. "Once it sold, the next day I tried to buy in for 1%," he said. "I knew it was going to [go up in value]. I knew it. I said the Lakers are going to be valued at $14 [billion]. I thought it was going to be a $14 billion value within like 18 months."
He mentioned that he was unsure why Walter declined his offer, stating, "They didn’t respond, and then they were like no. The reason why I tried to is I knew the value was going to go up, so I missed out. I was kind of bummed about it. You have a former player who wants to put in $100 [million]."
Sandiford-Artest believes that under the new ownership, the Lakers' valuation will increase significantly. "The Lakers are going to be just as big as Disney, honestly," he said.
Additionally, Sandiford-Artest attempted to purchase a stake in the BIG3, a professional basketball league founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz, but his offer was also declined. He noted that the league is expected to reach a $290 million valuation when it goes public later this year.
"I would’ve seven-exed my money," he said. "I was a little bit bummed, but it goes to show you the foresight that I had."
Having retired from the NBA in 2017, Sandiford-Artest was an All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. He expressed gratitude for his time with the Lakers, stating, "I was surprised to be a Laker, honestly. I didn’t think that was going to happen. They helped me out by letting me play on their team and helping me get a ring. That was something I always wanted."
He is also known for making a crucial 3-pointer in Game 7 of the Finals against the Celtics in 2010. Sandiford-Artest reflected positively on his experiences with the Buss family, who are currently involved in a dispute over their remaining 17.8% minority stake in the Lakers. Five of the Buss siblings voted to sell their share on August 17, while Jeanie Buss is contesting the sale.
"Just the way they involved me in the organization," Sandiford-Artest said. "That stands out a lot. It was like a family." He praised Jeanie Buss and Lakers executives for their support of his advocacy for mental health awareness among athletes, noting their collaboration with UCLA Health.
Jerry Buss originally purchased the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5 million, leaving his stake to his children after his death in 2013. Sandiford-Artest described the Lakers under the Buss family as feeling like a "mom and pop" organization, stating, "They just always made it feel like home."