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The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly changing hands again, and this time for a record price.
Billionaire investor Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger are set to purchase the Lakers for more than $12 billion, according to ESPN sources reported by Reuters.
If completed, the deal would represent a record valuation for an NBA franchise and one of the biggest transactions in sports history.
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger reportedly land Lakers
Kushner and Iger are longtime basketball fans who were previously involved in discussions surrounding a potential NBA expansion team in Las Vegas.
The two reportedly shifted their focus from expansion to one of the most recognizable franchises in professional sports.
In a statement reported by ESPN, Kushner and Iger said they were honored by the opportunity to become stewards of the Lakers. They also expressed respect for the leadership of Jerry and Jeanie Buss and said they planned to build on the foundation established by the Buss family.
The reported agreement comes less than a year after another major ownership change involving the franchise.
Lakers were valued at $10 billion last year
The Lakers were only recently sold to billionaire Mark Walter.
Walter acquired a majority stake in the franchise in a transaction that valued the Lakers at $10 billion. The NBA’s Board of Governors approved that deal in October 2025.
Now, the reported $12 billion-plus transaction would push the team’s valuation even higher.
The latest deal would also mean the Lakers have changed hands twice in a little more than a year.
Walter is reportedly selling his interest in the Lakers but will retain ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to his statement, owning the Lakers was a major honor, and he expressed gratitude to the Buss family, players, staff and fans.
Who is Josh Kushner?
Josh Kushner is a billionaire investor and the founder of Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm.
He is also a co-founder and vice chairman of Oscar Health. His business career has centered largely on technology, startups and investments.
Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who served as a senior adviser during Donald Trump’s first presidential administration.
The Lakers acquisition would give Josh Kushner a major foothold in professional sports and one of the most valuable franchises in the world.
Bob Iger returns to the NBA spotlight
Bob Iger is best known for his longtime leadership of The Walt Disney Company.
He served as Disney’s CEO for multiple periods and oversaw major expansions of the company’s entertainment business. His experience in media and entertainment could bring a different perspective to Lakers ownership.
Iger and Kushner have already demonstrated an interest in bringing an NBA franchise to Las Vegas. Their reported decision to pursue the Lakers instead represents a significant shift in those plans.
What the Lakers deal means
The reported sale reflects how dramatically the value of major sports franchises has increased.
The Lakers are among the most recognizable teams in professional sports, with a global fan base and a history that includes numerous NBA championships and legendary players.
A $12 billion-plus valuation would reinforce the enormous financial value attached to the Lakers brand.
It would also make the reported transaction a landmark moment for professional sports ownership.
For Lakers fans, the biggest question now is what the new ownership group will mean for the team’s future.
Kushner and Iger have indicated that their goal is to build on the franchise’s existing foundation, compete at the highest level and remain committed to the Lakers, their fans and the Los Angeles community.
Source: Reuters, citing ESPN
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