Bob Iger and Josh Kushner are purchasing the Los Angeles Lakers NBA franchise on Wednesday [1, 2, 3].
The acquisition represents one of the largest transactions in professional sports history. It signals a shift in ownership for one of the most valuable brands in global athletics, bringing in leaders from the entertainment and venture capital sectors.
Mark Walter is selling the team after he acquired a majority stake in late 2025 [1]. The transition comes quickly after Walter's period of control over the franchise.
Reports on the final sale price vary slightly among major outlets. The New York Times, CNN, and Business Insider report the price at $12.5 billion [1, 2, 3]. Other reports, including those from Mediaite and ABC7 News, place the figure at $12 billion [4, 5].
The ownership group led by Iger and Kushner takes over the team in Los Angeles, California [1, 2]. The deal was officially announced on Aug. 12, 2026 [1].
Iger, known for his leadership at Disney, and Kushner, a prominent investor, now enter the NBA landscape. The move integrates the Lakers into a portfolio of high-profile media and business interests. The franchise remains based in Los Angeles as it transitions to this new ownership group [1, 2].
“Bob Iger and Josh Kushner are purchasing the Los Angeles Lakers NBA franchise.”
This sale highlights the increasing intersection of professional sports, global media, and private equity. By acquiring the Lakers for a valuation between $12 billion and $12.5 billion, the Iger-Kushner group is betting on the continued growth of NBA media rights and the franchise's status as a premier global entertainment asset.
