The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold for a record-breaking $12.5 billion to an ownership group led by former Disney CEO Bob Iger and billionaire investor Josh Kushner, marking the most expensive sports franchise transaction in history.
The deal would transfer control of one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises from billionaire Mark Walter, who acquired a controlling stake in the Lakers at a roughly $10 billion valuation in 2025. The latest transaction would surpass that record by a significant margin.
Iger, who served as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, brings decades of experience in entertainment, media and global branding. His involvement could be particularly significant for a franchise whose identity has long been closely connected to Hollywood and the entertainment industry.
Kushner is the founder and managing partner of Thrive Capital and the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump. Josh Kushner is also the husband of model Karlie Kloss.
Iger and Kushner had previously been involved in efforts to secure an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas. Instead, the group reportedly pivoted toward an aggressive bid for the Lakers, ultimately reaching an agreement with Walter.
The Lakers are among the NBA’s most valuable and recognizable franchises, with 17 championships and a global fan base. The record price highlights the extraordinary rise in professional sports franchise valuations and the continued appeal of premium NBA teams to wealthy investors.
The transaction still requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors before it can officially be completed.
The proposed sale also comes at a major transition point for the franchise. The Lakers are entering a new era following LeBron James’ departure from Los Angeles, adding another layer of change as the organization prepares for new ownership.
If approved, the $12.5 billion transaction would cement the Lakers as the most expensive sports franchise ever sold, underscoring the extraordinary financial growth of professional sports and the enduring global power of the Lakers brand.
