Lakers Sold for a Record $12.5 Billion, Resetting the Sports Ownership Market
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agree to buy the Los Angeles Lakers in the largest sale in North American sports history, pending league approval.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been sold for $12.5 billion, the largest price ever paid for a franchise in North American professional sports. The buyers are Josh Kushner, founder of the venture firm Thrive Capital and a minority owner of the Miami Heat, and Bob Iger, the former chief executive of The Walt Disney Company.
The $12.5 billion price tag resets the valuation benchmark for major North American sports franchises.
Seller Mark Walter bought the Lakers for roughly $10 billion about thirteen months earlier, meaning this sale nets him a profit of approximately $2.5 billion in just over a year.
A Record-Breaking Price
At $12.5 billion, the transaction surpasses every previous North American sports franchise sale, underscoring how quickly valuations for marquee teams have climbed. The Lakers, one of the most valuable brands in global sports, remain led on the court by six-time All-Star Luka Dončić, who finished last season first in the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game.
Who Are the New Owners
Josh Kushner is best known as the founder of Thrive Capital and a co-founder of Oscar Health, and already holds a minority stake in the Miami Heat. Bob Iger led The Walt Disney Company as CEO from 2005 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2026, making him one of the most recognizable executives in American media joining the world of NBA ownership.
Pending League Approval
The sale is not yet finalized. It still requires a vote of approval from the NBA's Board of Governors, a standard step for any franchise ownership change, before Kushner and Iger officially take control of the team.
What It Means for the Franchise
Ownership changes of this magnitude often bring questions about front-office direction, long-term roster strategy, and continuity for the team's biggest stars. With Dončić now the face of the franchise, the incoming ownership group will be watched closely for how it approaches team-building decisions once the sale is approved.
Where This Leaves LeBron James
The sale also raises questions for LeBron James, whose future with the organization has been closely watched as he moves further into the twilight of his career. The change in ownership adds a new layer of uncertainty for the franchise's veteran core, even as the roster remains led on the court by Dončić.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who bought the Los Angeles Lakers?
Thrive Capital founder Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger agreed to buy the Lakers for a record $12.5 billion, pending approval from the NBA's Board of Governors.
Why is the Lakers sale price significant?
At $12.5 billion, it is the largest sale price ever paid for a franchise in North American professional sports, resetting the valuation benchmark for major sports teams.
Who owned the Lakers before this sale?
Mark Walter, who had purchased the Lakers roughly a year earlier for close to $10 billion, sold the team for a profit of about $2.5 billion after roughly thirteen months of ownership.
Is the Lakers sale final?
No. The sale still requires approval from the NBA's Board of Governors before it can be finalized.
What does the Lakers sale mean for LeBron James?
The ownership change adds uncertainty around the franchise's long-term direction as LeBron James moves later into his career, though no roster decisions tied directly to the sale have been announced.
