Just a year after the last change in its ownership structure, the Los Angeles Lakers will change owners again. The most valuable franchise in the NBA will be acquired by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for US$12.5 billion, in a deal that will set a new record for the sale of a sports entity in the United States if approved by the league's board of governors.
The amount far exceeds the valuation of US$10 billion that the franchise reached when Mark Walter acquired control of the Lakers from the Buss family last year. If finalized, it will also be the second sale of the team in just twelve months, an unprecedented situation for an organization accustomed to remaining under the same ownership group for decades.
This deal also explains why Kushner and Iger set aside their attempt to participate in a potential NBA expansion in Las Vegas. Both businessmen had been part of the efforts to secure a new franchise in that city, but ultimately opted to go directly for one of the most recognized and valuable teams in American sports.
The agreed price highlights the exponential growth of sports franchise values in the United States. In 2023, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets at a valuation of US$3 billion, while last year the Boston Celtics set a record by being sold to mogul William "Bill" Chisholm for over US$6 billion.
Who are Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
Josh Kushner, 41, is an American entrepreneur and investor who founded Thrive Capital in 2010, a venture capital firm primarily focused on technology and internet companies. Through the fund, he has invested in companies like Instagram, Spotify, Stripe, and OpenAI, and currently manages a portfolio of investments valued in the billions of dollars. Forbes estimated his personal wealth at around US$5.2 billion in July 2026.
