Lakers' Record $12.5 Billion Sale
Lakers Franchise Acquired by Kushner and Iger in Record $12.5 Billion Deal
Key Points
ESPN reported the Lakers’ sale price at about $12.5 billion, a record for a North American sports franchise, with CNBC valuation lists showing the Warriors around $10.8 billion and the Lakers about $10.1 billion prior to the deal.
The transaction marks the Lakers’ second ownership change in roughly 14 months: Mark Walter bought the team for about $10 billion from the Buss family in 2025 and is selling to Kushner and Iger for a price over $12 billion.
The buyer group consists of Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, with Kushner described as the brother of President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Iger as the former Disney CEO; they emphasize respect for Jerry and Jeanie Buss and a commitment to competing at the highest level.
Beyond the Lakers, Mark Walter’s portfolio spans multiple sports and brands, including stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Sparks, Chelsea FC, the Professional Women’s Hockey League, and TWG Motorsports.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been sold to Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger for over $12 billion, making it the most expensive North American sports franchise sale ever recorded, according to ESPN. The deal closes roughly 14 months after Mark Walter bought the team from the Buss family for about $10 billion.
NBC Los Angeles confirmed the sale after Kushner and Iger released a joint statement. The two men said they would honor the legacy of Jerry and Jeanie Buss and compete "at the highest level" for the city's fans.
A Record Price Tag That Reshapes NBA Valuations
Yahoo Sports reported the final sale price at $12.5 billion. That tops any previous North American sports franchise deal. For comparison, CNBC previously valued the Golden State Warriors at around $10.8 billion and the Lakers at about $10.1 billion before this sale. The new price blows past both figures.
Analysts say the deal signals that major sports franchises keep rising in value faster than almost any other asset. The Lakers brand, with 17 NBA championships, gives the new owners one of the most recognizable teams in the world.
Two Ownership Changes in Just 14 Months
The Lakers changed hands twice in about a year. The Buss family, which owned the team for decades, sold to Mark Walter in 2025 for roughly $10 billion. Walter is now selling to Kushner and Iger for more than $12 billion — a gain of over $2 billion in just over a year.
Walter's sports portfolio remains large even after the Lakers sale. He holds stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Sparks, Chelsea FC in England, the Professional Women's Hockey League, and TWG Motorsports. The Lakers sale does not signal a full exit from sports ownership.
Who Are Josh Kushner and Bob Iger?
Josh Kushner is a venture capital investor. He is the brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump. Bob Iger led Disney for many years and stepped down as CEO in 2020 before returning in 2022. He officially left Disney again in early 2025.
The two buyers said in their statement that they have deep respect for what Jerry and Jeanie Buss built. They called the Lakers "one of the most storied franchises in all of sports" and pledged to serve the team, the fans, and the city of Los Angeles.
What the Buss Family's Future Role Looks Like
The sale raises open questions about the Buss family's role going forward. Jeanie Buss served as team president and was the public face of the franchise for years. Neither she nor the new owners have announced a formal ongoing role for the family, according to reports so far.
The deal is expected to finalize in the near term, pending NBA approval. The league must sign off on all ownership transfers. Once approved, Kushner and Iger will take control of a team that still has LeBron James and is actively trying to compete for another championship.
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