Full Breakdown
Iger and Kushner Acquire Lakers in Record $12.5 B Deal
8/12/2026, 8:11:12 PM
Core Event
Former Disney chief executive Bob Iger and venture-capitalist Josh Kushner have agreed to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter, chief executive of TWG Global. The transaction values the NBA franchise at $12.5 billion, a new high for any North-American sports team. The sale must still be approved by the NBA’s board of governors, with the next meeting scheduled for September.
Background & Context
The Lakers were owned by the Buss family from 1979 until October 30 2025, when Walter bought a controlling stake for $10 billion. Walter’s brief tenure coincided with a federal probe into insurance companies tied to his broader business empire; prosecutors and the SEC are examining roughly $16 billion in loans and related-party transactions. Iger and Kushner had been part of an NBA expansion effort in Las Vegas but pivoted to acquire the Lakers instead of waiting for a new franchise.
Timeline
- October 30 2025 – Walter finalizes purchase of a majority Lakers stake for $10 billion.
- August 12 2026 – ESPN reports that Iger and Kushner have reached a $12.5 billion agreement to buy the team.
- September 2026 (scheduled) – NBA board of governors will consider the sale.
- March 31 2026 – Luka Doncic scores in a regular-season game, underscoring the franchise’s on-court transition after LeBron James’ free-agency departure.
Data & Statistics
- Sale price: $12.5 billion (record for a U.S. sports franchise).
- Prior valuation: $10 billion (Walter’s 2025 purchase).
- Franchise achievements: 17 NBA championships, the second-most in league history.
- Ownership stakes: Walter also controls the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sparks, Premier League club Chelsea, and several auto-racing teams.
- Kushner’s net worth: $5.2 billion (2024 estimate).
- Iger’s tenure at Disney: 2005-2020 and 2022-2026, during which Disney acquired Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox.
Official Statements & Responses
The NBA has not issued a formal comment beyond noting that the sale requires board approval.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Most outlets cite a $12.5 billion price, but a few report the figure as “over $12 billion” or simply “$12 billion.” No source has disclosed the exact financing structure; analysts note that neither Kushner nor Iger’s personal wealth alone covers the full amount, and the proportion of debt versus equity remains unclear. The investigation into Walter’s insurance holdings is ongoing, and no direct link to the Lakers sale has been established.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Owning the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the great honors of my life – an extraordinary investment, but what I will carry with me is the community, the fans, and a city that treats this team as family,” — Mark Walter, TWG Global CEO
- “We don’t have any details as to where all the money is coming from -- how much is being financed, where other equity is coming from. Kushner’s a venture capital investor … is it also a possibility that it’s coming from his own fund?” — David Faber
- “As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers,” — Josh Kushner, Iger and investor
The deal marks the second ownership change for the Lakers in less than a year and sets a new benchmark for franchise valuations, while also placing the team under the stewardship of two high-profile figures from media and venture capital.
