The Los Angeles Lakers could soon have new owners.
American businessman Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger have agreed to lead a group that will buy a controlling stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal values the famous NBA team at about $12.5 billion. If completed, it would be the highest valuation ever for a U.S. professional sports team.
The deal still needs approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors, so the ownership change is not final yet.
Who Is Josh Kushner?
Josh Kushner is an American businessman and investor. He is best known as the founder and managing partner of Thrive Capital, a major investment firm.
Kushner has also been involved in the sports world. He has had an ownership interest in the Miami Heat and has shown interest in bringing an NBA team to a new market.
His planned Lakers investment would take him into a completely different level of sports ownership.
The Lakers are one of the most famous teams in basketball, with a huge global fan base and a long history of championships.
Who Is Bob Iger?
Bob Iger is one of the best-known names in the entertainment industry.
He served as the CEO of Disney and played a major role in expanding the company around the world. His experience in entertainment, media and sports makes him an interesting partner for Kushner.
Iger has also been a longtime Lakers fan. His connection with the team is one reason the proposed deal has attracted so much attention.
Why Is the Lakers Deal So Important?
The biggest reason is the price.
Mark Walter’s group acquired controlling ownership of the Lakers in 2025 at a valuation of about $10 billion. The new deal values the team at approximately $12.5 billion, just over a year later.
That is a huge increase in such a short period.
It also shows how valuable major sports teams have become. The Lakers are not simply a basketball team. They are a global entertainment brand with millions of fans, valuable media rights, sponsorships, merchandise and one of the strongest names in sports.
What Happens to Jeanie Buss?
Jeanie Buss is expected to remain an important part of the Lakers organization.
Reports say she will continue as the team’s governor for at least five years, which means the Buss family’s connection to the Lakers will continue even after the change in majority ownership.
The Buss family has been closely connected to the Lakers for decades.
For many fans, keeping that connection is important because the Lakers’ history is closely tied to the Buss family.
What Does This Mean for the Lakers?
The ownership change comes at an important time for the team.
The Lakers are already going through major changes on and off the court. The team recently moved into a new era following LeBron James’ departure, while Luka Donฤiฤ has become one of the central stars of the franchise.
Kushner and Iger have said they want to build on the Lakers’ history and compete at the highest level.
That could mean more attention on the team’s business operations, technology, media strategy and basketball ambitions.
However, new owners do not automatically mean immediate changes to the roster. Basketball decisions will still depend on the Lakers’ management and front-office structure.
A New Era for One of Basketball’s Biggest Teams
The Lakers have always been bigger than basketball.
The team has won 17 NBA championships and has had some of the greatest players in basketball history. Its purple-and-gold colors are recognized around the world.
Now, Josh Kushner and Bob Iger are preparing to take the franchise into another chapter.
The $12.5 billion deal is still waiting for NBA approval, but the announcement has already created major interest around the world.
If the transaction is approved, the Lakers will enter a new era under two owners with backgrounds in investment, entertainment and sports.
For Lakers fans, the biggest question is simple:
Can the new ownership group help bring the team back to the top of the NBA?
Only time will tell.
This article is based on reports available on August 13, 2026. The proposed sale remains subject to NBA approval.
