Lakers Hire Dodgers Executive Lon Rosen
The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Lon Rosen from the Los Angeles Dodgers to serve as the team's new president of business operations. The move signals a renewed focus on front-office leadership and business strategy for the NBA franchise. Rosen has a long history in sports marketing and management in the Los Angeles area.
- This move marks a return to the Lakers for Rosen, who began his sports career with the team as an intern while at USC and later served as the director of promotions from 1980-87 during the "Showtime" era. - Rosen has a long and close professional relationship with Lakers legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, having started his own sports marketing firm, First Team Marketing, with Johnson as his first client. He also assisted Johnson and Guggenheim Baseball Management in their acquisition of the Dodgers. - As the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Dodgers since 2012, Rosen was a key part of a leadership team that saw the franchise lead Major League Baseball in attendance every season since 2013 and win three World Series titles. - The hiring follows the recent purchase of the Lakers by Mark Walter, who is also the chairman of the Dodgers, for a reported $10 billion. Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka has indicated the team intends to emulate aspects of the Dodgers' successful front-office structure. - Rosen is replacing Tim Harris, who is stepping down after a 35-year career with the Lakers organization. - During his tenure with the Dodgers, Rosen was noted for revitalizing the team's brand through innovative marketing, global fan development, and an aggressive digital strategy.
