For the second time in just over a year, the Los Angeles Lakers are being sold.
In June 2025, Mark Walter bought the Lakers for a whopping $10 billion. On Wednesday, it was reported that the Lakers are now being sold to American businessman Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a stunning price of $12 billion, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Dan Woike of The Athletic later reported the price at $12.5 billion.
The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold to American businessman Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record breaking price over $12 billion, multiple sources told ESPN.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 12, 2026
Kushner and Iger were involved in the expansion process in Las Vegas, but a stunning turn, they pivoted to make an…
This marks the most expensive sale of a U.S. sports team in history, and it comes just nine months after the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Lakers to Walter. The Seattle Seahawks sold after the Super Bowl for $9.6 billion, but the Lakers once again shattered the record.
“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,” Iger and Kushner 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.”
Previously, the Buss family had owned the Lakers since 1979, and now it has changed hands twice in the span of a year.
Iger is a former CEO of Disney. Kushner previously owned a minority share of the Memphis Grizzlies and currently has a minority share in the Miami Heat. He is also the founder of Kushner’s Thrive Capital, a firm that was working with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Walter is currently under federal investigation for loan fraud.
