For decades, the sporting landscape of Los Angeles has been defined by a fierce, two-horse race for the city’s soul. The Dodgers and the Lakers have long stood as the twin pillars of local fandom, dwarfing every other franchise in the market. But the balance of power has shifted. Following back-to-back World Series championships, the Dodgers have not only maintained their grip on the city but have pushed the Lakers further back than ever before.
The scale of this dominance is visible in the raw numbers. Last season, the Dodgers sold four million tickets, a milestone that underscores a massive, active fan base. However, a deeper look at resident sentiment suggests that the team’s appeal has transcended mere attendance, evolving into a cultural hegemony that leaves other professional teams in the region struggling for air.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University, nearly half of Los Angeles County residents now name the Dodgers as their favorite professional sports team. The gap between the baseball club and the Lakers—the city’s other great sporting dynasty—is now the widest it has ever been in the nine editions of the study, which began in 2014.
This surge in popularity comes at a time of significant tension within Major League Baseball. The Dodgers’ combination of on-field excellence and immense financial resources has drawn scrutiny from other owners. There are concerns that this disparity could lead to a rupture in the sport, with some suggesting that the push for a salary cap or restrictive spending measures could lead to labor unrest or a shutdown of the sport during the winter months.
The Numbers: A Market Divided
The data from the Loyola Marymount survey reveals a stark divide between the “Considerable Two” and the rest of the local sports ecosystem. While the Dodgers and Lakers continue to dominate, the distance between them and the third-place team is a chasm.
The Dodgers currently hold a 43% preference rate, while the Lakers follow at 28%. The remaining teams occupy a distant periphery: the Rams sit at 7%, the Kings at 5%, and the Angels at 4%. The city’s women’s professional teams, including Angel City FC and the Sparks, both recorded less than 1% of the vote, a trend that persisted even when the data was filtered by gender.
| Team | Preference Percentage | Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | 43% | Dominant Leader |
| Lakers | 28% | Secondary Power |
| Rams | 7% | Distant Third |
| Kings | 5% | Minority Share |
| Angels | 4% | Minority Share |
This consolidation of power is a relatively recent phenomenon. In 2018, five teams outside of the Dodgers and Lakers were able to capture at least 4% of the resident vote. Today, only the Rams have managed to maintain that threshold. Fernando Guerra, director of the Leavey Center, noted that even as a dedicated Rams fan, he still ranks the Dodgers first, illustrating how the team’s appeal has become a baseline for the entire region.
The Ohtani Effect and the Blueprint for Success
Winning is the primary driver of this growth, but the Dodgers have added a global dimension to their brand. A central figure in this expansion is Shohei Ohtani. Beyond his role as a superstar athlete, Ohtani has become a massive merchandise driver and a global ambassador for the franchise.
The impact is most evident within the Asian demographic in Los Angeles County. In 2018, during Ohtani’s tenure with the Angels, 34% of fans identifying as Asian chose the Dodgers as their favorite team, while 8% chose the Angels. By this year, those numbers shifted dramatically: Shohei Ohtani’s presence has helped propel the Dodgers’ preference among that demographic to 47%, while the Angels have dropped to 4%.
Stan Kasten, president of the Dodgers, attributes this peak in popularity to a “perfect storm” of variables. According to Kasten, the combination of elite player performance, the allure of the ballpark, and generational fan loyalty creates a synergy that winning alone cannot achieve. “If you have a lot of good elements but you don’t win, you’re not going to be as high,” Kasten said. “And, if you win but you don’t have the other elements, you’re not going to be as high.”
A Shared Empire: The Walter Influence
The relationship between the Dodgers and Lakers has evolved from a rivalry for attention into a shared corporate interest. Mark Walter and his investment group, which has owned the Dodgers for 13 seasons, recently acquired a controlling interest in the Lakers. This move has effectively placed the two most popular teams in the city under a single umbrella of ownership.
To streamline this empire, Walter installed Lon Rosen as the Lakers’ president of business operations. Rosen previously served as the Dodgers’ executive vice president and chief marketing officer, meaning the business strategies that fueled the Dodgers’ rise are now being applied to the Lakers.
The disparity in recent success is stark. In the 13 years of the current Dodgers ownership, the team has secured 12 division titles and three championships. In that same window, the Lakers have won one championship and three division titles. Rosen acknowledges the current hierarchy, noting that while the Dodgers are currently No. 1, the Lakers are positioned to return to the top as they pursue new championships.
Despite the optimism from the Lakers’ side, the Dodgers’ leadership remains focused on maintaining their lead. Kasten has stated that the organization does not take its current status for granted and believes there is still room for improvement, even while “clicking on all cylinders.”
As the MLB season progresses and the Lakers navigate their next rebuilding phase, the city’s sporting hierarchy remains fixed. The Dodgers have moved beyond being just a favorite team; they have become the primary sporting identity for nearly half of Los Angeles County.
We welcome your thoughts on the current state of Los Angeles sports. Do you believe the Dodgers’ dominance is sustainable, or is a shift back toward the Lakers inevitable? Share your views in the comments below.
