The Los Angeles Lakers are poised to change hands in what could become the most expensive transaction in sports history, with a purchase price reported at roughly $12.5 billion (about £9.25 billion). The buyer is venture‑capitalist Josh Kushner, a figure who recently found himself at the heart of FIFA’s proposed overhaul of its commercial framework. Kushner will not be acting alone; he is joining forces with former Disney chief executive Bob Iger to acquire the storied NBA franchise from Mark Walter, who currently co‑owns the team through his investment vehicle, Chelsea. This information comes from Sky Sports News, which has been tracking the negotiations closely.
Mark Walter entered the Lakers’ ownership picture only a year ago, when he purchased a 27‑percent stake in 2021 and subsequently increased his holding to 85 percent in the last year. At the time of his initial purchase, the deal set a new benchmark for NBA team valuations at around £7.4 billion. The forthcoming sale, therefore, promises Walter a substantial return on his investment, underscoring the rapid escalation of franchise values in the modern sports economy. In a joint statement released to Sky Sports News, Kushner and Iger expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity, emphasizing their lifelong passion for the NBA and their respect for the Lakers’ heritage.
"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, noting the "immense respect for the leadership and vision of former Lakers owners Jerry and Jeanie Buss." Their remarks highlighted a commitment to building on the foundation laid by the Busses, aiming to keep the team competitive at the highest level while serving the fan base and the broader Los Angeles community.
The Buss family, historically the cornerstone of Lakers ownership, previously held a 15 percent share of the club. It remains unclear whether that minority interest will be retained by the Busses or transferred to the new ownership group.
The ultimate structure of the ownership after the deal closes will depend on negotiations between the parties and the approval of the NBA Board of Governors, the governing body that must sign off on any change in franchise control. Mark Walter’s portfolio extends beyond the Lakers; he also co‑owns a stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers alongside Todd Boehly. His involvement in two of the city’s most prominent sports franchises illustrates the growing trend of cross‑sport investment groups that seek to leverage synergies across baseball, basketball, and other entertainment ventures. The prospective acquisition arrives at a moment when Kushner’s investment firm, Thrive Capital, has been linked to a separate high‑profile transaction involving a stake in the FIFA World Cup commercial rights.
That development, reported a month earlier, placed Kushner at the center of global sports finance discussions and may have added an extra layer of scrutiny to the Lakers deal. On a personal note, Josh Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, the daughter of former U.S.
President Donald Trump. While the family connection has no direct bearing on the business transaction, it does illustrate the intertwining of political, media, and sports interests that characterize many of today’s mega‑deals.
Bob Iger, meanwhile, stepped down as chief executive of The Walt Disney Company earlier this year after a long tenure that saw the acquisition of major assets such as Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox. His experience in managing large media conglomerates and negotiating complex licensing agreements is expected to be a valuable asset in steering the Lakers through the evolving media landscape, where streaming rights, international fan engagement, and digital content are becoming increasingly central to a franchise’s revenue streams. The sale, if finalized, will also have implications for how NBA games are broadcast and consumed by fans worldwide. Sky Sports, a major broadcaster of NBA content in the United Kingdom, has been promoting its coverage of the league, offering live streams of regular‑season games and playoff action.
The network encourages viewers to subscribe without a long‑term contract, and it also highlights the option to stream via the NOW platform for those who prefer a contract‑free experience. This reflects a broader industry shift toward flexible, on‑demand viewing models that cater to younger, digitally‑savvy audiences. In summary, the potential transfer of the Los Angeles Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger represents a landmark moment in sports business, combining record‑setting financial figures, high‑profile personalities, and strategic considerations that span media, technology, and global branding. The deal awaits the green light from the NBA’s Board of Governors, and once approved, it will set a new precedent for franchise valuations and ownership structures in professional basketball.
The Lakers, with their storied legacy and massive fan base, are poised to embark on a new chapter under the stewardship of two leaders who bring both a deep personal love for the game and a wealth of business acumen to the table.