In a major off-the-court ownership update, billionaire Lukas Walton and his wife, Samantha, have officially acquired a minority stake in both the Chicago Bulls and the United Center.
The announcement, finalized on June 26, 2026, brings one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States directly into Chicago’s sports landscape. Lukas Walton—the 39-year-old grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton—boasts an estimated net worth pushing past $45 billion, making his influx of capital a highly significant moment for the future of the West Side campus.
1. Structure of the Deal: No Changing of the Guard
While the arrival of a mega-billionaire often hints at an impending takeover, the transaction has been cleanly structured to preserve the current leadership hierarchy:
- Buying Out Limited Partners: The Waltons purchased existing shares from undisclosed limited partners. Because no new primary shares were created, the central power dynamics remain untouched.
- Reinsdorf Retention: The Reinsdorf family firmly maintains its controlling majority interest in the six-time NBA champion franchise, which they originally purchased for $16.2 million back in 1985.
- The United Center Split: Controlling interest in the United Center stadium itself will continue to be held jointly by the Reinsdorfs and the Wirtz family (owners of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks).
Reports suggest the size of the acquired stake stands at around 10%. With the Bulls valued at roughly $6 billion, the transaction is estimated to be worth in the ballpark of $600 million.
[ CURRENT CHICAGO BULLS OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE ]
├── REINSDORF FAMILY: ──► Retains Controlling Majority Interest (Team Ops & Decisions)
└── THE WALTONS (10%):──► Passive Minority Stake (Purchased from Limited Partners)
2. The Real Target: The $7 Billion “1901 Project”
The Waltons’ entry into Chicago sports goes far beyond basketball box scores. In their official statement, the couple explicitly highlighted their admiration for The 1901 Project—a massive, privately funded $7 billion urban transformation plan spearheaded by the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families.
The project intends to completely reshape the West Side neighborhood over the next decade and a half:
- Phase 1 Underway: Having broken ground in June 2026, the initial $500 million phase is scheduled for completion by Spring 2028. It features a new 6,000-seat music hall, a 180-room upscale hotel, and major parking infrastructure.
- The Grand 2040 Vision: By the time the final phases wrap up around 2040, the 55 acres of asphalt parking lots currently surrounding the United Center will be replaced by 9,500 residential housing units, expansive public parks, multi-tier hotels, and 1.4 million square feet of specialized retail, dining, and entertainment venues.
3. The Walton Sports Empire Deepens
With this transaction, Lukas Walton becomes the latest member of the Walmart founding family to plant a flag in professional sports team ownership:
| Walton Family Member | Sports Franchise Portfolio | Ownership Capacity |
| Rob Walton (Lukas’ Uncle) | Denver Broncos (NFL) | Controlling Owner |
| Stan & Ann Walton Kroenke | Denver Nuggets (NBA), LA Rams (NFL), Arsenal F.C. (EPL) | Controlling Group / Kroenke Sports & Entertainment |
| Greg & Carrie Walton-Penner | Colorado Rockies (MLB) | Minority Investors |
| Lukas & Samantha Walton | Chicago Bulls (NBA) & United Center | Minority Investors (New Entry) |
The move marks a highly localized step for Lukas Walton, who has long resided in Chicago and runs Builders Vision, his $3 billion sustainability-focused philanthropic and impact-investing platform. By backing the United Center’s expansion, the Waltons are anchoring their massive financial footprint directly into the long-term real estate, cultural, and athletic infrastructure of Chicago’s West Side.
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