The Los Angeles Lakers have been sold for a record-breaking £9.3bn (£12.5bn) in a stunning ownership change that marks among the most significant transactions in sports history. Josh Kushner, sibling of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared, and former Disney boss Bob Iger are acquiring the majority stake in the iconic NBA franchise shortly after Mark Walter acquired a majority stake. The deal represents a impressive profit for Walter, who bought his share for an estimated £7.45bn in October 2025. The sale demonstrates the extraordinary financial value of one of the sport’s most iconic franchises, which has won 17 NBA titles from Jerry Buss’s first purchase in 1979.
A historic transaction transforms the basketball world’s most decorated organisation
The acquisition of the Lakers constitutes a pivotal juncture in professional athletics ownership, demonstrating the exceptional commercial attractiveness of the NBA’s leading franchises. Kushner and Iger’s acquisition marks only the second change of majority ownership in the organisation’s recent period, coming after the Buss family’s stewardship that began in 1979. Both new owners have underscored their resolve to expanding the Lakers’ legendary legacy whilst contending at elite levels. Their statement highlighted a deep respect for the Buss family’s strategic outlook and a commitment to serve not only the franchise and its roster but also the engaged Los Angeles community that treats the Lakers as an fundamental aspect of the city’s cultural standing.
The transaction occurs at a crucial moment for the franchise, which has undergone substantial changes in recent months. The departure of LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, to the Philadelphia 76ers this summer created a considerable void in the roster. However, the arrival of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 has provided the team with a transformative player able to lead title runs ahead. Doncic has already expressed his enthusiasm for the fresh ownership model, affirming his dedication to bringing another title to Los Angeles. The blend of new leadership, elite talent, and long-term planning suggests the Lakers are positioned for another competitive era.
- Record £9.3bn transaction value outpaces Mark Walter’s earlier acquisition by £1.85bn
- Luka Doncic remains core franchise player following LeBron James’s departure
- Lakers possess 17 NBA titles, one behind Boston Celtics’ championship record
- Kushner and Iger pledge sustained commitment to competitive excellence
From Buss lineage to emerging investment period
Jerry Buss’s purchase of the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5 million represented a pivotal turning point in professional basketball history. The forward-thinking entrepreneur’s acquisition included not only the NBA franchise but also the Kings hockey franchise and the Kia Forum arena, establishing a sporting powerhouse that would shape Los Angeles culture for generations. Under Buss’s leadership, the Lakers were synonymous with excellence, claiming multiple championships and establishing a winning tradition that drew the world’s finest basketball talent. His impact went far beyond trophies; he established an organisation beloved by millions and woven into the fabric of the city itself.
The transition from the Buss family’s outright control to institutional investors marks a notable transformation in how elite sports franchises are operated and funded. When Jerry Buss passed away in 2013, ownership transferred to his six children via a family trust, preserving the family’s connection to the organisation. However, the latest acquisitions to Walter and now to Kushner and Iger demonstrate broader trends in sports ownership, where affluent entrepreneurs and investment firms increasingly acquire stakes in elite teams. This change illustrates how the Lakers’ value has grown substantially whilst preserving its cultural importance and championship ambitions within the NBA landscape.
The Buss dynasty and its transformation
The Buss family’s stewardship of the Lakers represented one of sports ownership’s most impressive success stories. From Jerry Buss’s founding vision through his children’s ongoing leadership, the franchise consistently competed at the top tier, drawing hall of fame talent and securing major honours that cemented its standing in the sport’s history. The family’s dedication to excellence and community participation built an organisation that surpassed sport, serving as an essential component of Los Angeles’ character. Their management created operational standards and a culture of success that subsequent proprietors would inherit and build upon.
The family’s move to transfer majority control to Mark Walter in October 2025 marked the beginning of a new chapter, though it did not constitute a complete departure from their involvement. Jeanie Buss and her siblings preserved their ties to the franchise whilst allowing experienced investors to undertake primary operational responsibility. This transition reflected both the extraordinary valuations that leading NBA organisations now command and the real-world demands of administering such intricate operations. The Buss legacy remains woven into the Lakers’ identity, even as new ownership takes charge of this iconic institution.
Kushner and Iger lead the helm of basketball’s elite
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger’s purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers marks a convergence of entertainment sector knowledge and investment acumen at the helm of one of basketball’s most celebrated organisations. Kushner, whose investment firm Thrive Eternal has garnered significant attention in recent years, brings substantial financial resources and business experience to the role. Iger, whose tenure as Disney chief executive officer reshaped the entertainment corporation into a worldwide leader, brings years of expertise overseeing renowned brands and overseeing complicated business structures. Together, they exemplify a new generation of ownership prepared to navigate the dynamic terrain of professional basketball and the commercial operations of premier sports franchises.
Both men expressed their profound respect for the Lakers’ heritage and their commitment to honouring the groundwork established by Jerry and Jeanie Buss. In their statement, Kushner and Iger highlighted their status as long-time basketball devotees, signalling that their stewardship would be motivated by authentic enthusiasm for basketball combined with commercial considerations. Their pledge to perform at the elite level whilst supporting the team, its supporters, and the city of Los Angeles reflects an understanding of the Lakers’ cultural significance beyond mere sporting achievement. This commitment suggests alignment with the franchise’s established principles even as new leadership implements fresh strategic direction.
- Kushner leads venture capital firm Thrive Eternal with considerable investment portfolio expertise
- Iger’s Disney background offers expertise in overseeing iconic entertainment organisations
- Both owners made a commitment to long-term dedication to perform at the highest NBA level
What the updated ownership structure represents for the franchised business
The transition to Kushner and Iger’s ownership occurs at a pivotal moment for the Lakers, particularly following the loss of LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers. With Luka Doncic now functioning as the organisation’s leading superstar after his transfer from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, the incoming ownership encounters pressing pressure to construct a title-contending roster. Doncic’s vocal backing of the takeover gives confidence, though the franchise must address roster composition and competitive standing swiftly. The new owners’ resources and experience indicate they have the ability to pursue bold strategic plans aimed at bringing the Lakers back to championship contention within the competitive NBA landscape.
Beyond direct competitive considerations, Kushner and Iger’s ownership promises to influence the franchise’s business approach and business strategy. Their collective experience in venture capital and entertainment management could modernise the Lakers’ strategy for player development, supporter relations, and commercial partnerships. The significant £9.3 billion valuation reflects not simply the franchise’s past accomplishments but also its potential for growth under seasoned leadership. Success under new ownership will ultimately depend on championship titles and the ability to maintain the Lakers’ status as the NBA’s most prestigious and culturally important franchise.
Doncic era begins amid title aspirations
The departure of LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers signalled a fundamental change in the Lakers’ direction, yet the signing of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 offered prompt confidence regarding the franchise’s championship prospects. Doncic, widely regarded as one of the NBA’s most skilled players, has become the cornerstone upon which Kushner and Iger must build their title ambitions. The Slovenian star’s vocal support of the new ownership, declaring that “being a Laker means everything to me,” signals his commitment to the franchise’s revival and suggests confidence in the path established by the new ownership team.
The difficulty confronting the new operators is substantial yet manageable given their considerable capabilities and experience. Constructing a team capable of challenging for titles whilst maintaining economic viability requires tactical intelligence in player acquisition and development. Doncic’s presence offers the platform, but supporting player acquisitions and shrewd management decisions will dictate whether the Lakers can rival the Boston Celtics’ tally of 18 NBA championships. The franchise’s storied history and Los Angeles competitive advantage present significant advantages, though on-court performance ultimately decides success in professional basketball’s highly competitive arena.
| Recent Lakers milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| LeBron James departure | NBA’s all-time leading points scorer joined Philadelphia 76ers in summer 2026 |
| Luka Doncic acquisition | Star player arrived from Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 as franchise cornerstone |
| Championship record | Lakers hold 17 NBA titles, one behind Boston Celtics’ record of 18 |
| Ownership transition | Kushner and Iger assume control following Mark Walter’s year-long majority stake |
The broader effects for sports industry proprietorship
The Lakers’ record-breaking sale marks a significant moment in elite sports ownership, signalling the ongoing demand amongst affluent investors and capital firms to acquire stakes in prestigious sporting franchises. The involvement of figures such as Josh Kushner and Bob Iger underscores how stakes in top-tier sports teams has become ever more desirable to high-net-worth individuals active within multiple industries. This shift demonstrates the substantial financial returns and cultural prestige connected to controlling major sports franchises, particularly those with the Lakers’ global brand recognition and historical significance. The astronomical valuation of $12.5bn demonstrates how team valuations have risen sharply in recent years.
The ownership shift also underscores evolving patterns in sports governance, where seasoned corporate leaders and venture capital firms now compete alongside traditional sports moguls for control of legendary franchises. Kushner’s involvement, despite ongoing scrutiny surrounding his Fifa-related commercial activities, suggests that reputation-related issues may carry diminishing weight when significant monetary prospects emerge. The speed of Walter’s exit—less than a year after acquiring majority control—raises questions about investment horizons and whether sports teams are increasingly treated as tradable commodities rather than long-term passion projects. These shifts could reshape the landscape of professional sports ownership in coming years.