ESPN reports the Los Angeles Lakers are set to change hands for the second time in 10 months at a $12.5bn valuation, with venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney chief Bob Iger named as buyers, pending NBA approval.
Key facts
- ESPN reported the Lakers are set to sell for $12.5bn, a record for any North American sports team.
- It would be the second ownership change for the franchise in less than a year.
- The reported buyers are venture capitalist Josh Kushner and business partner Bob Iger.
- Mark Walter took control of the team from the Buss family last October.
- The deal must be approved by the NBA's board of governors before it can go through.
One of the most famous teams in world sport is reportedly about to change hands for the second time in less than a year. According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers are set to be sold at a valuation of $12.5bn, a sum that would be a record for any North American sports team. The Guardian noted the deal must be approved by the NBA’s board of governors before it can go through.
The reported buyers are venture capitalist Josh Kushner and his business partner Bob Iger, the former head of Disney. The Guardian described both men as having connections across the political world and influence throughout American business. Josh Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner.
The transaction would mark the second time in 10 months that the storied franchise has changed ownership. Mark Walter took control of the team from the Buss family last October, the Guardian reported.
The Guardian framed the sale as an illustration of how major sports franchises have become assets traded among the wealthy rather than institutions rooted in their fanbases. The piece contrasted the incoming buyers with the late Dr Jerry Buss, whom it referenced as a long-time owner from an earlier era.
The commentary argued that a franchise woven into a city’s identity risks being treated like a chip moved around a poker table, and questioned whether anyone would push back against the pace and scale of the deal. As of the report, the sale remained subject to league approval and had not been finalised.
Why it matters
The reported $12.5bn valuation would set a new benchmark for the price of a North American sports team, underlining how rapidly franchise values are climbing. It also reflects a wider debate, raised in the Guardian's commentary, over whether beloved clubs are increasingly treated as tradable assets by a small circle of ultra-wealthy owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much are the Lakers reportedly selling for?
ESPN reported the Lakers are set to change hands at a valuation of $12.5bn, which the Guardian said would be a record for any North American sports team.
Who are the reported buyers?
The Guardian named venture capitalist Josh Kushner and his business partner Bob Iger, the former head of Disney, as the buyers if the deal is approved.
Is the deal final?
No. According to the Guardian, the deal must be approved by the NBA's board of governors before it can go through.