Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner are buying the Los Angeles Lakers in a record-breaking transaction valued at $12.5 billion [1].
The sale represents a massive shift in the ownership of one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world. It signals a new era for the team after decades of stability under the Buss family and a brief transition period under Mark Walter.
The deal was announced Wednesday morning [2]. Mark Walter is selling the team just 14 months after he purchased a majority stake [3]. Walter had previously acquired the franchise for approximately $10 billion [1].
This transaction follows 46 years of ownership by the Buss family [4]. The rapid turnaround of the asset—from Walter's purchase to the current sale—highlights the soaring valuation of professional sports teams in the U.S. market.
Iger, the longtime leader of Disney, and Kushner bring a combination of media expertise and investment capital to the organization. The $12.5 billion price tag [1] marks a new ceiling for NBA franchise valuations, though some reports have placed the figure as low as $12 billion [1].
The Lakers remain based in Los Angeles, California, where they continue to operate as a cornerstone of the city's sports culture. The transition of ownership comes as the league continues to navigate evolving media rights, and global expansion strategies.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold in a record-breaking transaction for $12.5 billion.”
This acquisition underscores the trend of sports franchises evolving into high-yield media assets rather than simple athletic clubs. By bringing in Bob Iger, a veteran of the global entertainment industry, the Lakers are positioned to further integrate their brand with broader media ecosystems. The $2.5 billion increase in valuation over a 14-month period suggests that top-tier NBA teams are now viewed as extremely stable, appreciating assets for ultra-high-net-worth investors.
