Iger & Kushner Buy Lakers for Record $12.5B
Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner acquire the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5 billion valuation.
The update
Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner have acquired Mark Walter’s majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5 billion. The deal values the team at more than $12 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Iger, the former Disney CEO, and Kushner, a venture capital founder, have been business partners this year. The sale comes less than a year after Walter bought the team for $10 billion.
Why it matters
This valuation signals a major shift in how elite sports assets are priced. The deal highlights the enduring financial power of the NBA’s marquee franchises, even as the broader media landscape evolves. It also marks a high-profile entry for Kushner into the world of professional sports ownership.
What to watch
Financial regulators are currently investigating potential improprieties at two of Mark Walter’s insurance companies and at Guggenheim Partners. The exact closing of this deal and the financial structure behind it will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
Sources
- bloomberg.com — Initial report on the sale and valuation
- cnbc.com — Details on the valuation, Walter's prior ownership, and the joint statement
