Ex-Lakers business boss Tim Harris consulting for UCLA in ‘real win’

Former longtime Lakers executive Tim Harris has found a landing spot — at his alma mater.

The UCLA alumnus is consulting for Chancellor Julio Frenk in a role that will allow the veteran marketing and business operations specialist to share his expertise on a volunteer basis, the California Post has learned.

Tim Harris, Los Angeles Lakers president of business operations, speaks as the Lakers host a 2021-2022 season kick-off event to unveil a new global marketing partnership with Bibigo on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. The Bibigo logo will appear on the Lakers jersey. (Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag) Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

Reached by phone, Harris confirmed to The Post that he was doing some consulting work for the university but referred all questions to the chancellor’s office.

One person familiar with the situation told The Post that Harris would be looking at revenue streams involving various aspects of campus operations, including athletics.

“We are so lucky to have alums like Tim who love UCLA and want to lend their time and talent to strengthen the Bruin community,” a campus source familiar with the arrangement told The Post. “As a former UCLA student-athlete himself, we’re incredibly fortunate to have Tim offer his deep expertise pro bono to elevate our programs. It’s a real win for Bruins.”

The move represents a homecoming for Harris, a onetime goalkeeper for UCLA, the U.S. National Team and the Los Angeles Lazers of the Major Indoor Soccer League. The Lazers owner happened to be Jerry Buss, who held the same role with the Lakers and would later serve as Harris’ boss for many years.

Among his many duties for the Lakers, Harris was known as the essential source for landing celebrities the best seats inside Crypto.com Arena. Actor Andy Garcia once described Harris to the Los Angeles Times as “a good person to know.”

Harris departed the Lakers after last season, ending a 35-year career with the organization in which he was instrumental in landing a $3 billion, 20-year contract with Charter Communications to create Spectrum SportsNet for the Lakers in 2011.

Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

When the team was sold to Mark Walter in 2025, Harris reportedly received $24 million. He was replaced earlier this year by Lon Rosen as the Lakers president of business operations.

Now he’s headed back to a familiar place that might seem strange given all the changes in the college landscape.

UCLA faces massive budget constraints across campus and in athletics, with the Bruins athletic department having run in the red for seven consecutive fiscal years. That will provide Harris, who turns 65 in December, a chance to help examine revenue streams and give recommendations.

Harris has already been an active presence on campus in recent years, teaching “Lakers 101” to students in UCLA’s Sports and Leadership Program in the Anderson School of Management.