The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most storied franchises in professional basketball, are on the brink of a landmark transaction that could redefine the economics of sports ownership. According to sources close to the deal, venture capitalist Josh Kushner, who recently found himself at the center of FIFA's ambitious new commercial framework, is poised to acquire the team in a deal valued at roughly $12.5 billion – about £9.25 billion at current exchange rates. This price would eclipse every previous sale of a sports club, establishing a new benchmark for the valuation of elite athletic properties. Kushner is not navigating this purchase alone.
He will be partnering with former Disney chief executive Bob Iger, a seasoned media executive whose tenure at the entertainment giant included the acquisition of major sports broadcasting rights and the launch of the Disney+ streaming platform. Together, Kushner and Iger intend to purchase the Lakers from Mark Walter, a prominent businessman who currently co‑owns the franchise alongside his involvement with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sky Sports News reports that Walter, who originally bought a 27 percent stake in the Lakers back in 2021, expanded his holding to an 85 percent controlling interest last year, will now hand over the reins to the new consortium.
Walter’s entry into Lakers ownership was itself a record‑setting moment. When he first acquired the team, the purchase price of approximately £7.4 billion was the highest ever paid for a sports franchise at that time. The proposed sale to Kushner and Iger would therefore represent a substantial return on Walter’s investment in just a single year, underscoring the rapid appreciation of value in the NBA’s most high‑profile market.
In a joint statement released to Sky Sports News, both Kushner and Iger expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity. "As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world," they said.
They also paid tribute to the Buss family, who have guided the organization for decades. "We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of former Lakers owners Jerry and Jeanie Buss," the statement read. "Our long‑term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles." The Buss family historically owned a 15 percent share of the franchise, and it remains unclear whether that minority stake will be retained, sold, or transferred as part of the broader transaction.
Regardless of the final ownership percentages, the incoming leadership has signaled a clear intention to maintain the Lakers’ competitive edge while also exploring new avenues for growth both on and off the court. The proposed acquisition is subject to approval by the NBA Board of Governors, a standard procedural step for any change in team ownership.
If cleared, the deal would be finalized within the next few months, marking a swift transition from Walter’s ownership to the new partnership of Kushner and Iger. Beyond the immediate financial implications, the sale reflects broader trends in the sports and entertainment landscape. Venture capital firms and media conglomerates have increasingly viewed sports franchises as strategic assets that can generate steady revenue streams through ticket sales, merchandising, broadcasting rights, and burgeoning digital platforms.
Kushner’s firm, Thrive Capital, has already been linked to a proposed sale of a stake in the FIFA World Cup commercial rights, indicating a growing appetite for high‑profile, globally recognized sporting events. Kushner’s personal background also adds a layer of public interest to the deal.
He is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, the daughter of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
While the familial connection does not directly impact the business aspects of the transaction, it has attracted additional media scrutiny and speculation about potential political implications. Bob Iger, meanwhile, stepped down as CEO of The Walt Disney Company earlier this year after a long and transformative tenure that saw the acquisition of Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, as well as the launch of Disney+. His experience in navigating complex media deals and his deep understanding of the entertainment ecosystem are expected to be valuable assets as he transitions into the sports ownership arena. For Lakers fans, the news arrives at a time when the team is seeking to reassert its dominance on the court.
The franchise, which boasts 17 NBA championships, is currently in a rebuilding phase, balancing a mix of veteran talent and promising young players. The new owners have pledged to invest in both the roster and the broader fan experience, including potential upgrades to the Staples Center (now known as Crypto.com Arena) and innovative digital engagement strategies. In addition to the on‑court considerations, the sale could have ripple effects across the broader sports broadcasting market. Sky Sports, a major broadcaster of NBA games in the United Kingdom, has been actively promoting its coverage, offering contract‑free streaming options and encouraging viewers to access live games via the NOW platform.
The heightened visibility of a high‑profile ownership change may drive increased viewership and subscription numbers, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between sports franchises and media distributors. Overall, the Lakers’ impending sale represents a confluence of capital, media expertise, and global brand power. Whether the new leadership will preserve the storied legacy of the franchise while steering it toward a modern, digitally integrated future remains to be seen, but the groundwork laid by Kushner and Iger suggests a bold, ambitious vision for the next chapter of Los Angeles basketball.