Updated 21m 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
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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.
Heavy2hBuss Family In Talks To Buy New Team After Another Historic Lakers Sale
USA Today1h10 most expensive pro sports franchise sales: Lakers top list
Deadline3hBob Iger Buys L.A. Lakers In Big Bucks Post-Disney Slam Dunk
Newsweek1hBob Iger, Josh Kushner buy Lakers for NBA-record price: report
BBC News2hLos Angeles Lakers: NBA franchise to be sold in record $12.5bn deal to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
Bloomberg56mLakers Owner Walter Seeks Cash to Pay Down Loans Amid DOJ Probe
CNBC3hBob Iger, Joshua Kushner buy Los Angeles Lakers at a $12.5 billion valuation, source saysCNCTV News3hReport: Josh Kushner, Bob Iger to buy Lakers for record US$12.5B
ESPN2hSources: Kushner, Iger to buy Lakers for $12B
Financial Times3hBob Iger and Josh Kushner in $12bn deal for Lakers basketball franchise
Forbes2hLos Angeles Lakers Reportedly Sell For Record $12 BillionIBTIBTimes2hJoshua Kushner And Bob Iger Are The New Owners Of The LA Lakers In $12.5 Billion DealLeft10 sources
Raw Story30mRumors fly as fed-probed billionaire offloads Lakers to a Kushner after White House visit
The Independent2hWho is Josh Kushner? The 41-year-old billionaire buying the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Times2hSources: Mark Walter has no plans to sell Dodgers after selling Lakers
Mediaite1hLakers Owner Sells to Jared Kushner’s Brother as Trump DOJ Probes His Business Empire
Business Insider3hBob Iger and Josh Kushner to buy the Lakers
CNN3hLA Lakers sell for a record $12 billion to ex-Disney CEO Iger and Jared Kushner’s brother Josh
Hollywood Reporter3hLakers to Be Sold to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner’s Firm
NBC News3hLos Angeles Lakers sold to Bob Iger, Josh Kushner for $12 billionTBGThe Boston Globe2hL.A. Lakers reportedly being sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
Variety3hBob Iger Buys Lakers With Josh Kushner for $12 BillionRight 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 Post1hLakers' sudden $12.5 billion sale comes amid Mark Walter federal investigation
Daily Mail4hNBA's Lakers sold to Josh Kushner and ex-Disney CEO Bob Iger for record $12BILLION just one year after setting all-time sales mark
Citizen Free Press3hBREAKING | LA Lakers sold to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner for $12 billion.
Just the News1hLos Angeles Lakers to be sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger in $12.5 billion deal
Newsmax3hReport: Josh Kushner, Bob Iger to Buy Lakers for Record $12.5 Billion
One America News9hA blockbuster $12.5B deal as Josh Kushner and Bob Iger buy the Los Angeles Lakers, AP source says
The Daily Caller3hREPORT: Kushner, Former Disney CEO To Purchase Los Angeles Lakers
The Washington Times3hA blockbuster $12.5B deal as Josh Kushner and Bob Iger buy the Los Angeles Lakers, AP source says
Washington Examiner1hFormer Disney CEO and Jared Kushner’s brother buying Los Angeles Lakers
ZeroHedge3hJosh Kushner, Bob Iger Stun Sports World With Record-Shattering $12 Billion Lakers Takeover DealWhat’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?