Bob Iger and Josh Kushner have agreed to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers in a record-breaking transaction announced Wednesday [1, 2].
The sale represents a massive escalation in the valuation of professional sports franchises and marks a high-profile entry into NBA ownership for Iger and Kushner.
Reports on the exact final price vary slightly between sources. Yahoo Sports and CNN report the purchase price at $12.5 billion [1, 2], while MSN cites a figure of $12 billion [3]. This transaction sets a new benchmark for the cost of an NBA team.
The acquisition comes shortly after a previous change in ownership. The Lakers were sold to Mark Walter in June 2025 for $10 billion [1]. The current deal adds between $2 billion and $2.5 billion to that valuation in just over a year.
Iger, the former CEO of Disney, brings extensive experience in global media and entertainment. Kushner is a venture capitalist and the brother of Jared Kushner. The duo now controls one of the most valuable brands in global sports.
The deal was officially announced on Aug. 12 [2, 4]. The transaction takes place in Los Angeles, California, where the franchise is based [1, 2].
“The sale represents a massive escalation in the valuation of professional sports franchises.”
The rapid appreciation of the Lakers' value—increasing by as much as $2.5 billion in roughly 14 months—signals a trend where sports teams are viewed as ultra-premium assets rather than mere businesses. The pairing of a media titan like Iger with a venture capitalist like Kushner suggests a strategy focused on maximizing the team's digital media rights and global brand expansion.
