The Los Angeles Lakers are once again under new ownership.
According to multiple reports, a group led by venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger has agreed to purchase a controlling interest in the Lakers for a reported $12.5 billion, setting a new record for the highest valuation ever paid for a professional sports franchise.
The blockbuster transaction comes less than a year after Mark Walter acquired the franchise at a reported $10 billion valuation. The rapid increase in value underscores the continued explosion in NBA franchise worth, fueled by soaring media rights, global brand recognition, and growing investor demand for premium sports assets.
Reports indicate that Jeanie Buss will remain the Lakers’ controlling governor for at least the next five years, ensuring continuity in the organization’s basketball operations despite the ownership change.
Why This Deal Matters
The Lakers are more than just one of the NBA’s flagship franchises—they are one of the most recognizable brands in global sports. With 17 NBA championships, a history featuring legends such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James, ownership of the Lakers represents one of the most coveted assets in professional sports.
The sale also reflects the NBA’s unprecedented financial momentum. Franchise values have skyrocketed over the past decade thanks to expanding international reach, lucrative television agreements, and increased institutional investment.
What’s Next?
While ownership changes rarely produce immediate on-court changes, the deal could shape the Lakers’ long-term business strategy, arena investments, and basketball operations as the franchise enters a new era built around Luka Dončić.
The acquisition is also noteworthy because Kushner and Iger had previously been linked to a potential bid for an NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas before pivoting to purchase one of the league’s most iconic organizations instead.
As additional details emerge—including league approval and ownership structure—the transaction will remain one of the biggest business stories in sports this year.
