{
  "id": 679831,
  "title": "Los Angeles Lakers to be sold to Bob Iger, Josh Kushner for $12.5 billion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/los-angeles-lakers-to-be-sold-to-bob-iger-josh-kushner-for-12-5",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T16:51:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/los-angeles-lakers-sold-bob-iger-josh-kushner/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Los Angeles Lakers are set to undergo a historic change in ownership, as they are being sold to a new duo - former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capital founder Joshua Kushner. This unprecedented deal is expected to be the most expensive purchase in professional sports history, with a staggering price tag of $12.5 billion. The pair announced their intent to take stewardship of the iconic franchise from current CEO Mark Walter, who acquired a majority stake in the team last year for a record $10 billion.\n\nRenowned NBA fans, Iger and Kushner expressed their deep honor at becoming custodians of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most celebrated sports teams globally. They vowed to build upon the legacy of the Buss family, aiming to compete at the highest level and serve the team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.\n\nThis sale, coming 14 months after Walter's acquisition, marks a new chapter in Lakers history. The previous record for the most expensive sports team sale was the $6.1 billion purchase of the Boston Celtics last year. Bob Iger, 75, has dabbled in soccer recently, purchasing LA's Angel City FC along with his wife Willow Bay. In a post on X, Lakers legend Magic Johnson hailed Iger and Kushner as two of the best owners who would bring championships back to Los Angeles.\n\nThe Lakers' new leadership will also include superstar guard Luka Doncic, who was acquired in a surprising trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025. Doncic has since signed a contract extension with the team. Doncic expressed his excitement about the ownership change, stating that his passion for the Lakers remains firm, regardless of the new ownership. The team will also have to navigate the absence of LeBron James, who recently left for the Philadelphia 76ers.",
  "summary": "The deal comes less than 1 year after Mark Walter purchased a majority stake from the Buss family for about $10 billion.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 12,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "Los Angeles Lakers being sold for blockbuster $12.5B deal to businessmen Kushner, Iger: reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/los-angeles-lakers-being-sold-for-blockbuster-12-5b-deal-to",
        "published": "2026-08-12T15:08:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Josh Kushner, Bob Iger to buy Los Angeles Lakers for record US$12.5 billion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/josh-kushner-bob-iger-to-buy-los-angeles-lakers-for-record-us-12-5",
        "published": "2026-08-12T15:12:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Los Angeles Lakers Sold For Record-Breaking $12 billion To Bob Iger And Josh Kushner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/los-angeles-lakers-sold-for-record-breaking-12-billion-to-bob-iger",
        "published": "2026-08-12T15:22:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "A blockbuster $12.5B deal as Josh Kushner and Bob Iger buy the Los Angeles Lakers, AP source says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/a-blockbuster-12-5b-deal-as-josh-kushner-and-bob-iger-buy-the-los",
        "published": "2026-08-12T15:23:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Is Josh Kushner a Democrat? All on Jared Kushner brother's political affiliation amid Lakers purchase deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/is-josh-kushner-a-democrat-all-on-jared-kushner-brothers-political",
        "published": "2026-08-12T15:31:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "LA Lakers to be sold in record $12.5bn deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/la-lakers-to-be-sold-in-record-12-5bn-deal",
        "published": "2026-08-12T16:11:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Iger, Kushner to buy Los Angeles Lakers in record $12.5bn deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/iger-kushner-to-buy-los-angeles-lakers-in-record-12-5bn-deal",
        "published": "2026-08-12T17:38:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "LA Lakers to be sold in record $12.5bn deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/la-lakers-to-be-sold-in-record-12-5bn-deal-691042",
        "published": "2026-08-12T18:26:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Josh Kushner, Bob Iger, buying Los Angeles Lakers for record $12.5bn",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/josh-kushner-bob-iger-buying-los-angeles-lakers-for-record-12-5bn",
        "published": "2026-08-12T20:04:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "LA Lakers sold in record $17.7b deal as Trump associate and former Disney chief swoop",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/la-lakers-sold-in-record-17-7b-deal-as-trump-associate-and-former",
        "published": "2026-08-12T20:11:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "LA Lakers sold in record $17.7b deal as Trump associate and former Disney chief swoop",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/la-lakers-sold-in-record-17-7b-deal-as-trump-associate-and-former-701350",
        "published": "2026-08-12T20:11:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}