Chicago Bulls No. 9 Nikola Vucevic celebrates during the game after scoring the winning buzzer-beater against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center Arena on November 19, 2025 in Portland, Oregon.
Cameron Brown | National Basketball Association | Getty Images
walmart Heir Lucas Walton and his wife, Samantha, have acquired a minority stake in the Chicago Bulls and the United Center, the team announced Friday.
The team said the deal involves the purchase of existing stock from limited partners and does not provide Walton with any control over ownership.
The size and valuation of the minority stake was not disclosed, but a person familiar with the matter told CNBC that the Waltons’ stake in the team and arena was 10%. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details publicly.
The Reinsdorf family remains the controlling owners of the Chicago Bulls. Jerry Reinsdorf purchased the team in 1985 for $16.2 million. According to CNBC’s latest NBA valuations, the team is currently worth approximately $6.45 billion, making it the fifth most valuable franchise in the league.
The Wirtz and Reinsdorf families split ownership of the United Center, where the Bulls and the NHL’s Blackhawks play. The companies will retain control of the United Center and the 1901 Project, a $7 billion redevelopment project on Chicago’s West Side, the team said.
The Bulls are one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, winning six championships during the Michael Jordan era. However, in recent years, they have been struggling without making it to the playoffs since the 2021-2022 season.
Lucas Walton is the 39-year-old grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton. He and his wife reside in Chicago. According to Forbes, Lucas Walton’s net worth is reported to be around $45 billion.
“The Chicago Bulls are as iconic as the city itself, and this transaction reflects our dedication to the city’s future. We have long admired the vision the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families demonstrated for the 1901 project, and we look forward to the continued positive impact United Center will have on Chicago’s West Side,” the Waltons said in a statement.
Lucas Walton’s uncle, Rob Walton, bought the NFL’s Denver Broncos in 2022 and also owns a stake in MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks.
