Updated 1w+ ago · Business
Lakers Sold to Josh Kushner in Record $12.5 Billion Deal
Mark Walter is selling the Los Angeles Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner for $12 billion, according to ESPN. The price sets a new record for any American sports franchise.
- $12 billion surpasses the $10 billion Walter paid for the team in 2025.
- Iger recently concluded his second term as CEO of Disney.
- Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law.
- Both buyers had previously pursued an NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas.
Why it matters: The back-to-back sales mark a rapid ownership turnover for one of the NBA's most valuable franchises.
- Walter's business is under SEC investigation over disclosures on billions in assets and loans; no wrongdoing has been established.
How 34 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean
34 sources · 56 articles · 41% Center coverage
Where they split: Coverage agrees on the facts but differs on whether Walter's quick exit reflects the SEC probe, a pure profit motive, or both.
Center coverage, 14 sources: The center focuses on the SEC investigation as context for Walter's rapid sale, while presenting the new owners' statement without commentary.
Heavy1w+Buss Family In Talks To Buy New Team After Another Historic Lakers SaleUSA Today1w+10 most expensive pro sports franchise sales: Lakers top listDeadline1w+Bob Iger Buys L.A. Lakers In Big Bucks Post-Disney Slam DunkNewsweek1w+Bob Iger, Josh Kushner buy Lakers for NBA-record price: reportBBC News1w+Los Angeles Lakers: NBA franchise to be sold in record $12.5bn deal to Josh Kushner and Bob IgerBloomberg1w+Lakers Owner Walter Seeks Cash to Pay Down Loans Amid DOJ ProbeCNBC1w+Bob Iger, Joshua Kushner buy Los Angeles Lakers at a $12.5 billion valuation, source saysCTV News1w+Report: Josh Kushner, Bob Iger to buy Lakers for record US$12.5BESPN1w+Sources: Kushner, Iger to buy Lakers for $12BFinancial Times1w+Bob Iger and Josh Kushner in $12bn deal for Lakers basketball franchiseForbes1w+Los Angeles Lakers Reportedly Sell For Record $12 BillionIBTimes1w+Joshua Kushner And Bob Iger Are The New Owners Of The LA Lakers In $12.5 Billion DealThe Hill1w+LA Lakers sold to ex-Disney head Bob Iger, Josh KushnerTMZ1w+Bob Iger, Josh Kushner Buying Lakers For $12 Billion
Left10 sources
Raw Story1w+Rumors fly as fed-probed billionaire offloads Lakers to a Kushner after White House visitThe Independent1w+Who is Josh Kushner? The 41-year-old billionaire buying the Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Times1w+Sources: Mark Walter has no plans to sell Dodgers after selling LakersMediaite1w+Lakers Owner Sells to Jared Kushner’s Brother as Trump DOJ Probes His Business EmpireBusiness Insider1w+Bob Iger and Josh Kushner to buy the LakersCNN1w+LA Lakers sell for a record $12 billion to ex-Disney CEO Iger and Jared Kushner’s brother JoshHollywood Reporter1w+Lakers to Be Sold to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner’s FirmNBC News1w+Los Angeles Lakers sold to Bob Iger, Josh Kushner for $12 billionThe Boston Globe1w+L.A. Lakers reportedly being sold to Josh Kushner and Bob IgerVariety1w+Bob Iger Buys Lakers With Josh Kushner for $12 Billion
Right coverage, 10 sources: The right emphasizes the record-breaking price and Kushner's political connections, framing the sale primarily as a historic business transaction.
New York Post1w+Lakers' sudden $12.5 billion sale comes amid Mark Walter federal investigationDaily Mail1w+NBA's Lakers sold to Josh Kushner and ex-Disney CEO Bob Iger for record $12BILLION just one year after setting all-time sales markCitizen Free Press1w+BREAKING | LA Lakers sold to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner for $12 billion.Just the News1w+Los Angeles Lakers to be sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger in $12.5 billion dealNewsmax1w+Report: Josh Kushner, Bob Iger to Buy Lakers for Record $12.5 BillionOne America News1w+A blockbuster $12.5B deal as Josh Kushner and Bob Iger buy the Los Angeles Lakers, AP source saysThe Daily Caller1w+REPORT: Kushner, Former Disney CEO To Purchase Los Angeles LakersThe Washington Times1w+A blockbuster $12.5B deal as Josh Kushner and Bob Iger buy the Los Angeles Lakers, AP source saysWashington Examiner1w+Former Disney CEO and Jared Kushner’s brother buying Los Angeles LakersZeroHedge1w+Josh Kushner, Bob Iger Stun Sports World With Record-Shattering $12 Billion Lakers Takeover Deal
What’s next: The pivot away from Las Vegas expansion suggests that effort has stalled, according to Heavy.
- NBA gambling scandals and a cap circumvention probe may be slowing any expansion decision.
- Will the NBA approve the sale, and on what timeline?
- Does Iger and Kushner's exit from Las Vegas expansion talks mean the league will not place a team there?
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