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Lucas Kaplan: So here's the news. I have accepted a position with the Los Angeles Sparks' front office. I am excited beyond adequate words, really. I had to say a proper goodbye to my public work, and specifically to NetsDaily, though trust that I could not say it all: www.netsdaily.com/site-news/11...
Mark Walter is looking to sell the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, taking another step in the dismantling of his sports-team empire, according to people familiar with the matter. Walter is looking to sell the franchise and a related practice facility for more than $700 million, said one of the people, who wasn’t authorized to speak discussing private dealings.
The Delaware Blue Coats, the Philadelphia 76ers' G League affiliate, are hiring Brad Jones as their next general manager, team sources told ESPN. Jones was selected, sources said, by Sixers president Mike Gansey and executive vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson, after former Blue Coats GM Ariana Andonian left to run the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks last month.
Los Angeles Sparks: “Every opportunity I had was a moment to change the mind of a man who was a hater. It was a chance to convince somebody who didn’t believe in women’s basketball.” @Lisa Leslie with a powerful speech in her halftime ceremony.
The Los Angeles Sparks are hiring Philadelphia 76ers vice president of player personnel Ariana Andonian as their new general manager, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the decision. Andonian is replacing Raegan Pebley, whom L.A. parted ways with in July following 2 1/2 years with the organization.
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The search was conducted by Farhan Zaidi, special advisor to Sparks owner Mark Walter. This is the third executive hire the Sparks have made out of the NBA in the past year. They hired assistant general managers Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen from the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively, before the 2026 season. Andonian has been with the 76ers for two seasons after seven years with the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. She also consulted with the basketball program at Duke while getting her MBA.
An Acclaro Medical employee was fired just more than a week after sending Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby a racist text. Fans quickly identified the employee after Hamby posted a screenshot of the text, with the sender's phone number, on social media on Aug. 24. Acclaro Medical confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, Sept. 1, that the employee is no longer with the company. The employee had originally been "suspended while an investigation is being conducted," Acclaro Medical told USA TODAY on Aug. 25. In a statement shared on social media, the company said "it condemns racism, harassment, hate speech and discriminating behavior in all forms" and the online remarks "do not in any way reflect the values and standards of the Company."
Last year, EquiTrust was sold to Amistad, one of the companies reportedly caught up in the DOJ investigation. Amistad’s managing founder is Holoman, who used to run Magic Johnson Enterprises and has been Johnson’s longtime business partner, including as governor of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and as his partner in JLC Infrastructure. The deal appears to have been debt-financed.
From what we’re told, the sale is for Walter’s shares in the Lakers. It doesn’t affect Walter’s ownership of the Los Angeles Sparks and doesn’t involve his ownership of the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Shams Charania: BREAKING: The Los Angeles Sparks are trading five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second-rounder, sources tell me and @kendra__andrews.
Shams Charania: Four-time WNBA All-Star and two-time champion Kelsey Plum is signing a one-year, $999,999 deal to return to the Los Angeles Sparks, per ESPN sources. Plum was in line for the $1.4 million supermax but opted to sign at discounted rate to give the Sparks financial flexibility to build a title-contending roster.
Chiney Ogwumike: BREAKING: 10x WNBA All-Star and 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike intends to re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks. She previously played 12 seasons in LA and “is looking forward to returning home.”
Bejamin Royer: Division II Cal State LA hires Lakers great Michael Cooper as men’s basketball head coach. Cooper had served as associate head coach since 23’. Cooper has led teams in the WNBA (LA Sparks, Atlanta Dream), women’s college basketball (USC) and in what’s now called the G League.