George Lopez is making headlines for walking away from two of LA’s biggest sports franchises. The comedian announced he has stopped supporting the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers after learning about Dodgers owner Mark Walter’s investments in for-profit immigration detention centers. Lopez shared his decision on Shaquille O’Neal’s“The Big Podcast”and on his own Facebook page, saying he couldn’t stay silent once he found out Walter’s firm had a stake in GEO Group, which operates federal ICE facilities.
Lopez also brought up the controversial history of Chavez Ravine, the land where Dodger Stadium was built in the 1950s after displacing a predominantly Latino community. He pointed out the irony of the team courting Latino fans while what he called ignoring the past. The Los Angeles Times has reported that Walter’s firm fully divested from GEO Group as of March 2026, but for Lopez, the damage is done.
Despite Lopez’s comments and calls for a boycott, the Dodgers still lead MLB in attendance, averaging over 50,000 fans per game. But with a voice as influential as Lopez speaking out, the conversation around fan loyalty and ownership accountability is only getting louder. What do you think? Does an owner’s background change how you feel about the team you root for?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.