Now Reading: Josh Kushner and Bob Iger to buy LA Lakers for $12.5 billion
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Josh Kushner and Bob Iger to buy LA Lakers for $12.5 billion
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter for more than $12 billion, ESPN reported. The deal values the NBA franchise at a record…
The Story in Brief
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter for more than $12 billion, ESPN reported. The deal values the NBA franchise at a record $12.5 billion, according to the Times of India.
Kushner, founder of venture capital firm Thrive Capital, and Iger, former Disney CEO, were earlier involved in the NBA’s Las Vegas expansion. The purchase still needs approval from the NBA’s board of governors. Kushner, brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared, previously held minority stakes in the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies. Forbes estimates his net worth at $5.2 billion.
The Indian Opinion
The sale price naturally draws gasps, but the real story is how quickly the Lakers changed hands, from the Buss family to Walter in 2025, and now to Kushner and Iger. This feeds a narrative that sports franchises are just trophies for the ultra-rich, not community trusts. Yet the buyers' statement cites commitment to fans and Los Angeles. The test will be whether the team's on-court performance matches the price tag, which eclipses all previous sports deals.
Sources (6): ndtvprofit.com, hindustantimes.com, hindustantimes.com (2), hindustantimes.com (3), hindustantimes.com (4), timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 6 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 6 sources.
