Lakers Sold to Bob Iger, Josh Kushner for $12 Billion
The two businessmen confirmed to NBC News that they are leading an ownership group taking over the storied NBA franchise, 10 months after it was sold to Mark Walter at a roughly $10 billion valuation.
The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold to an ownership group led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, the two businessmen confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday.
The deal for the franchise carried a $12 billion price tag, according to a person familiar with the matter. ESPN first reported the sale.
"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," Kushner and Iger said in a statement.
"We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. 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 sale comes less than a year after the Lakers changed hands once before. The team was sold to businessman Mark Walter in October 2025 at a valuation of approximately $10 billion. Walter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Lakers are among the most recognizable teams in American sports, with 17 championships, the most recent in 2020. Last season, Los Angeles finished fourth in the Western Conference before being eliminated in the conference semifinals by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The franchise is also in the middle of a transition on the court. LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, played eight seasons in Los Angeles before announcing in July that he was leaving to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year contract.
The team will now be led by Luka Doncic, a six-time NBA All-Star who led the league in scoring last season at 33.5 points per game.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
