Los Angeles Lakers Sold in Record $12 Billion Ownership Deal
Los Angeles, Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
An investment group led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger acquired the Los Angeles Lakers at a record $12 billion valuation, marking an unprecedented landmark for sports franchise valuations.
A Rapid Transition of Ownership
The blockbuster transaction marks an incredibly swift turnaround for the ownership of the iconic NBA franchise. Mark Walter, who also serves as the primary owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is selling his controlling interest in the Los Angeles Lakers less than fourteen months after acquiring it [1][2]. Walter originally purchased his majority stake from the Buss family on June 18, 2025, at a valuation of $10 billion [2]. Now, the ownership group led by Thrive Capital founder Josh Kushner and Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger is acquiring the franchise at a historic $12.5 billion valuation [1], representing a massive premium of 25% in just over a year.
Pivoting from Las Vegas to Los Angeles
Before striking this historic deal, Kushner and Iger had been actively exploring other avenues to enter professional basketball ownership. The duo was previously part of an investment group that was attempting to secure a brand-new NBA expansion team in Las Vegas [2]. However, they pivoted from that expansion bid to secure one of the most celebrated brands in global sports [2]. For Iger, who leads The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) [GPT], and Kushner, the founder of venture firm Thrive Capital [GPT], this acquisition establishes them as major power brokers in the modern sports landscape [1][2].
The Modern Economics of Sports Assets
This record-shattering $12.5 billion valuation reflects a broader structural shift in how professional sports franchises are valued by institutional and high-net-worth investors [1][3]. Historically, sports ownership was dominated by local businessmen focused on civic pride and community influence [3]. Today, the financial landscape has been entirely reshaped by multi-billion-dollar television contracts, streaming platforms, luxury suite revenues, naming rights, and global merchandising [3]. These factors have turned premium sports franchises into highly durable media and live-entertainment properties, attracting elite private capital capable of funding historic transactions [GPT].