{
  "id": 682026,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-12T16:11:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/basketball/articles/c04k2dn422xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Los Angeles Lakers are set to be purchased for a staggering $12.5 billion, making it the most expensive sports team sale in history. The deal will see Josh Kushner, a close associate of Donald Trump's daughter, and Bob Iger, the former CEO of Disney, acquire the majority stake in the iconic NBA franchise.\n\nMark Walter, who previously held a majority share worth approximately $10 billion, sold his portion to the Kushner-Iger duo. Walter's acquisition of the Lakers in 2025 marked the highest-ever individual purchase, surpassing the previous record set by Buss family.\n\nThe NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale, which was announced by Kushner and Iger. In a joint statement, they expressed their deep respect for the Buss family's leadership and their commitment to the Lakers' legacy. Walter, who purchased the team in 2025, emphasized the emotional significance of owning the Lakers, stating that it was an extraordinary investment and a testament to the city's loyalty.\n\nThe Lakers have a rich history, boasting 17 NBA championships, just one shy of the Boston Celtics' record of 18. The team recently parted ways with LeBron James, who joined the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving Luka Doncic as the primary star. Doncic expressed enthusiasm for the new ownership, stating that being a Laker meant everything to him and that he was ready to bring a championship back to Los Angeles.",
  "summary": "The Los Angeles Lakers is to be sold for a reported record $12.5bn - less than a year after Mark Walter took a majority stake in the NBA franchise.",
  "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": "CBS News",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-12T16:51:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}