Los Angeles Lakers, sold once again for a historic fortune
Just one year after the new owners arrived, new proprietors are coming.
Los Angeles Lakers make history once again, this time off the court. The Los Angeles franchise has been sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for 12.5 billion dollars, a record-breaking amount for any professional sports team, according to multiple sources cited by ESPN.
The deal marks a new chapter for one of the most prominent NBA franchises and comes just a year after Mark Walter acquired a controlling stake in the Lakers from the Buss family for around 10 billion dollars, setting a historical valuation record at that time.
Kushner and Iger, initially involved in exploring NBA expansion in Las Vegas, drastically changed course and presented an aggressive bid to acquire the Lakers.
"As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored by the opportunity to become the custodians of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world," Kushner and Iger stated in a release. They also emphasized their respect for Jerry and Jeanie Buss, asserting that their long-term goal is to maintain the team's competitive level and strengthen its bond with Los Angeles and its fans.
The Lakers Break the Sales Record Again
The financial magnitude of the deal is historic. In fact, the Lakers now hold the top two spots on the list of the most expensive sales of a professional sports franchise.
| Team | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2026 | 12.5 B$ |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2025 | 10 B$ |
| Seattle Seahawks | 2026 | 9.6 B$ |
| Boston Celtics | 2025 | 6.1 B$ |
| Washington Commanders | 2023 | 6.05 B$ |
The difference between the 2025 and the current sale amounts to 2.5 billion dollars, a testament to the extraordinary value the franchise has attained in the market.
Mark Walter Concludes His Brief Tenure
Mark Walter became the majority owner of the Lakers last October, following unanimous NBA approval of his proposal. However, his tenure leading the franchise will have lasted less than a year.
"Owning the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the great honors of my life. An extraordinary investment, but what I will take with me is the community, the fans, and a city that treats this team like family," Walter stated.
The businessman also expressed gratitude to Jeanie Buss, the Buss family, the players, and the franchise staff for allowing him to be part of this period and stated his conviction that "the best is yet to come" for the Lakers.
The deal is limited to Walter's stake in the Lakers. The businessman retains interests in other teams and sports organizations, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, Chelsea FC in the Premier League, and the Professional Women's Hockey League. Through TWG Motorsports, he also owns various motorsport entities, including Cadillac in Formula 1.
However, Walter is under federal investigation for possible tax-related offenses related to other companies linked to his business empire. According to Bloomberg, U.S. prosecutors are scrutinizing the operations of two insurers controlled by Walter, while the Securities and Exchange Commission is conducting a parallel investigation.
Josh Kushner, the New Force Behind the Lakers
At 41, Josh Kushner brings significant investment and sports experience to the Lakers. He is the founder and CEO of Thrive Capital and a co-founder and vice president of Oscar Health.
Kushner also has direct NBA involvement, currently holding a minority stake in the Miami Heat and previously being a minority shareholder in the Memphis Grizzlies.
To complete the Lakers acquisition, he will need to divest his stake in the Miami Heat, as NBA rules prohibit interests in two league franchises.
Kushner is also the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Bob Iger Returns to the Sports World
The other major player in the deal is Bob Iger, a well-known figure in the American business world at 75 years old.
Iger stepped down as Disney's CEO this year, after Josh D'Amaro assumed the position. The executive already has prior experience as a sports owner: in 2024, alongside his wife Willow Bay, he became the controlling owner of Angel City FC, an NWSL franchise.
He now takes a much larger step by becoming, alongside Kushner, the new owner of one of the most recognizable sports franchises on the globe.
NBA Approval Still Pending
Although the deal is final between the parties, the sale still requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors. The process could extend over several weeks, with the next board meeting scheduled for next month in New York.
If given the definitive approval, Josh Kushner and Bob Iger will assume control of the Lakers following a deal that once again demonstrates the extraordinary economic value of the franchise.
In just twelve months, the Lakers have seen their value rise from about 10 billion dollars to 12.5 billion dollars, further solidifying their position as one of the most valuable and influential sports properties in the world.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los Angeles Lakers, vendidos otra vez por un pastizal histórico
