Just over a year after Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter acquired the Los Angeles Lakers for $10 billion, he is reportedly selling the team to Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger for $12.5 billion, according to ESPN.
“As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored by the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world,” Kushner and Iger said in a statement. “We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.”
Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, is the founder of Thrive Capital. His investment firm was previously involved in a proposal to purchase a minority stake in FIFA for $4.2 billion tied to the organization’s World Cup operations. FIFA president Gianni Infantino withdrew the proposal earlier this month.
Iger first joined Thrive Capital as a venture partner in 2022, and after leaving Disney in 2026 has worked with the firm’s investment team and portfolio founders as an advisor.
The sale is still subject to approval by the NBA’s Board of Governors.
Leave A Comment