LA Lakers set for record $12.5bn sale
Dubai: The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly set to change hands in a record-breaking $12.5 billion (£9.3bn) deal, less than a year after Mark Walter became the NBA franchise’s majority owner. Josh Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former Disney CEO Bob Iger are behind the deal to acquire the controlling stake in one of basketball’s most iconic…
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of being sold for a record $12.5 billion, according to recent reports. This transaction, less than a year after Mark Walter became the NBA franchise's majority owner, involves Josh Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, and former Disney CEO Bob Iger. The deal, which includes the LA Kings and the arena formerly known as the Kia Forum, surpasses the previous record set by Walter's purchase in 2025.
The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale in October 2025. Kushner and Iger expressed their honor and commitment to the Lakers, emphasizing their respect for the Buss family's leadership. Jerry Buss acquired the team in 1979 for $67.5 million, and it was transferred to his six children through a family trust following his death in 2013.
Walter, who also holds a stake in MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, spoke of the honor of owning the Lakers and their significance to the community. LeBron James' departure from the team, following his eight-season tenure that culminated in an NBA championship in 2020, marks the start of a new era for the franchise.
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