SportsEpreneur

The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic in a deal that stunned the league — months before the franchise was sold for a record-setting $10 billion.

Coincidence? Or did the NBA help engineer this moment to inflate the Lakers’ value before the sale? Of course they did.

In this SportsE original, we breakdown the timing and strategy behind one of the most suspiciously perfect business moves in NBA history.

Did the NBA Inflate the Lakers’ $10 Billion Sale—And Every Other Team’s Value Too? sportsepreneur.com/nba-lakers-10b-sale-franchise-valuation-inflation

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Host: Eric Kasimov: X | LinkedIn

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This episode was produced by the team at QuietLoud Studios

TL;DR: What Just Happened Here?

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic — and then sold the franchise for a record-setting $10 billion. That’s not just a trade. That’s a valuation play.

In this episode, we explore whether the NBA manipulated events to inflate the value of its marquee franchise, raise league-wide NBA team valuations, and set a new benchmark in the business of sports. From the Luka Doncic trade to the Lakers’ $10B sale, to the Cooper Flagg lottery twist, this story isn’t about basketball. It’s about leverage, timing, and brand power.

If you’re into sports business, franchise valuations, and the not-so-hidden strategies of pro leagues, this one’s for you.

Eric Kasimov is the founder of SportsEpreneur, part of the KazSource media network. Since launching the platform in 2015, he has hosted over 500 podcast episodes, written and published more than 1,500 articles, and advised business leaders, founders, and creators on building authority through media strategy.

Through his brands — KazSource, KazCM, SportsEpreneur, and QuietLoud Studios — Eric leads teams that produce podcasts, develop brand platforms, and help companies grow through modern content ecosystems. He also scaled KazSource Insurance into a seven-figure boutique agency, providing the foundation for the broader media network he operates today.

His work has been featured in Forbes, Axios, and Front Office Sports, and his podcasts have included conversations with top founders, investors, and athletes turned entrepreneurs.

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In this episode of the Athlete Mindset podcast, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC welcomes Mariah Mazon, a professional softball player and aspiring sports psychology professional. Mariah shares her journey from a youth softball player in Tulare, California, to a standout two-way star at Oregon State, and now a pro with Athletes Unlimited. She opens up about navigating major adversities, including the COVID-19 season disruption and a hamstring injury during her senior year, and how she leaned on family, physical activity, and mental strategies like meditation and focal cues to stay grounded. Mariah also discusses the unique challenges of transitioning to professional softball, from the pressure of the Athletes Unlimited point system to managing media and fan interactions. Her insights into mental preparation and her vision to create a holistic training facility for young athletes make this a must-listen for athletes and coaches alike.

As she pursues her master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology, Mariah reflects on how her experiences with a sports psychologist shaped her approach to coaching and mental resilience. This episode offers practical tools and inspiration for young athletes navigating transitions and building mental toughness.

More about Mariah Mazon:

Mariah Mazon is a Tulare, California, native and standout softball player, best known for her dominant two-way career at Oregon State as both a pitcher and hitter. After college, she went pro with Athletes Unlimited Softball League, represented Team USA internationally, and played overseas in Japan with the Toda Medics. She later transitioned into coaching, with stops at Holy Names University and the Academy of Art University. Mariah is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology at California State University, Fresno.

Credits: Athlete Mindset is part of the SportsE Media platform.

By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!

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