The Los Angeles Lakers have been purchased for a record-breaking £9.3bn (£12.5bn) in a remarkable ownership change that marks one of the most significant transactions in sports history. Josh Kushner, sibling of US President Donald Trump’s family member Jared, and former Disney chief executive Bob Iger are securing the majority stake in the storied NBA franchise within a year after Mark Walter purchased a majority stake. The deal reflects a impressive profit for Walter, who purchased his share for an estimated £7.45bn in October 2025. The sale highlights the remarkable financial significance of one of the sport’s most iconic franchises, which has won 17 NBA titles from Jerry Buss’s original purchase in 1979.
A historic transaction transforms basketball’s most decorated franchise
The acquisition of the Lakers represents a pivotal juncture in sports franchise ownership, illustrating the exceptional commercial attractiveness of the NBA’s most prestigious franchises. Kushner and Iger’s acquisition marks only the second transition of majority ownership in the team’s contemporary history, following the Buss family’s stewardship that began in 1979. Both new owners have underscored their commitment to building upon the Lakers’ celebrated tradition whilst competing at the highest level. Their statement highlighted a deep respect for the Buss family’s strategic outlook and a determination to serve not only the organisation and its athletes but also the devoted LA supporters that treats the Lakers as an essential component of the city’s cultural standing.
The transaction occurs at a pivotal moment for the franchise, which has undergone significant changes in recent months. The exit of LeBron James, the NBA’s greatest ever scorer, to the Philadelphia 76ers this summer created a considerable void in the roster. However, the signing of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 has provided the team with a transformative player able to lead future championship campaigns. Doncic has already expressed his enthusiasm for the fresh ownership model, affirming his commitment to bringing another title to Los Angeles. The blend of fresh ownership, star power, and strategic vision suggests the Lakers are set up for another competitive era.
- Record £9.3bn purchase amount outpaces Mark Walter’s prior deal by £1.85bn
- Luka Doncic continues as team’s cornerstone after LeBron James’s departure
- Lakers possess 17 NBA titles, one short of Boston Celtics’ championship record
- Kushner and Iger vow sustained commitment to winning excellence
From Buss lineage to fresh investment landscape
Jerry Buss’s purchase of the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5 million represented a transformative moment in professional basketball history. The forward-thinking entrepreneur’s purchase encompassed not only the NBA franchise but also the Los Angeles Kings hockey team and the Kia Forum arena, creating a sports empire that would define Los Angeles culture for generations. Under Buss’s leadership, the Lakers became synonymous with excellence, winning several titles and establishing a winning tradition that drew the finest basketball players globally. His impact extended far beyond trophies; he established an institution cherished by millions and embedded within the fabric of the city itself.
The transition from the Buss family’s outright control to investment firms marks a major shift in how top-tier sports teams are managed and financed. When Jerry Buss passed away in 2013, ownership passed to his six children through a family trust, maintaining the family’s connection to the organisation. However, the latest acquisitions to Walter and now to Kushner and Iger demonstrate wider patterns in sports ownership, where affluent entrepreneurs and investment firms regularly purchase stakes in prestigious franchises. This transformation shows how the Lakers’ value has appreciated exponentially whilst preserving its cultural significance and competitive aspirations within the NBA landscape.
The Buss family and its evolution
The Buss family’s leadership of the Lakers represented one of sports ownership’s greatest achievements. From Jerry Buss’s founding vision through his children’s subsequent management, the franchise consistently competed at the highest level, securing iconic players and winning championships that established its standing in the sport’s history. The family’s commitment to excellence and community participation established an organisation that went beyond sport, serving as an integral part of Los Angeles’ identity. Their leadership established operational benchmarks and a winning culture that future owners would assume and expand.
The family’s choice to divest principal stake to Mark Walter in October 2025 signalled the start of a new chapter, though it did not represent a complete disengagement from their involvement. Jeanie Buss and her siblings maintained their connection to the franchise whilst allowing experienced investors to undertake core management duties. This transition reflected both the remarkable valuations that elite NBA franchises now command and the operational challenges of managing such intricate operations. The Buss legacy continues to permeate the Lakers’ identity, even as new ownership takes charge of this iconic institution.
Kushner and Iger lead the reins of basketball’s elite
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger’s acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers marks a convergence of media industry proficiency and investment expertise at the helm of one of basketball’s most celebrated organisations. Kushner, whose venture capital firm Thrive Eternal has gained notable recognition in recent times, brings substantial financial resources and business acumen to the role. Iger, whose time as Disney CEO reshaped the entertainment organisation into a international force, brings years of expertise managing iconic brands and overseeing complicated business structures. Together, they exemplify a modern class of owners positioned to oversee the changing environment of elite basketball and the commercial operations of premier sports franchises.
Both men expressed their deep admiration for the Lakers’ legacy and their commitment to honouring the groundwork established by Jerry and Jeanie Buss. In their statement, Kushner and Iger emphasised their status as lifelong NBA enthusiasts, indicating that their stewardship would be motivated by genuine passion for basketball combined with commercial considerations. Their pledge to perform at the elite level whilst supporting the team, its fanbase, and the city of Los Angeles reflects an understanding of the Lakers’ cultural significance far more than just sporting achievement. This commitment indicates continuity with the franchise’s historical values even as new leadership implements fresh strategic direction.
- Kushner manages venture capital firm Thrive Eternal with significant portfolio investment experience
- Iger’s Disney background offers knowledge in overseeing renowned global entertainment organisations
- Both owners made a commitment to ongoing dedication to compete at the elite NBA tier
What the new ownership represents for the franchise
The transition to Kushner and Iger’s ownership arrives at a critical juncture for the Lakers, especially after the exit of LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers. With Luka Doncic now acting as the franchise’s primary superstar subsequent to his move from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, the fresh ownership group confronts urgent pressure to construct a championship-capable roster. Doncic’s enthusiastic endorsement of the takeover gives confidence, though the organisation must tackle squad makeup and competitive status swiftly. The incoming owners’ capabilities and expertise indicate they have the ability to pursue bold strategic plans designed to bringing the Lakers back to championship competition within the challenging NBA arena.
Beyond immediate sporting considerations, Kushner and Iger’s ownership is likely to shape the franchise’s operational philosophy and commercial direction. Their collective experience in venture capital and entertainment management could modernise the Lakers’ approach to player development, fan engagement, and commercial partnerships. The significant £9.3 billion valuation reflects not merely the franchise’s past accomplishments but also its capacity to expand under experienced stewardship. Success under new ownership will ultimately depend on winning championships and the capacity to preserve the Lakers’ status as the NBA’s most prestigious and culturally important franchise.
Doncic era begins during championship ambitions
The exit of LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers marked a seismic shift in the Lakers’ trajectory, yet the signing of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 provided prompt confidence regarding the franchise’s competitive future. Doncic, commonly recognised as one of the NBA’s most talented players, has become the cornerstone upon which Kushner and Iger must build their title ambitions. The Slovenian star’s enthusiastic endorsement of the new ownership, stating that “being a Laker means everything to me,” demonstrates his commitment to the franchise’s revival and suggests confidence in the direction established by the new ownership team.
The challenge confronting the new owners is substantial yet manageable given their significant resources and track record. Assembling a team capable of competing for titles whilst maintaining financial sustainability requires strategic acumen in talent recruitment and player development. Doncic’s presence offers the platform, but supporting player acquisitions and astute decision-making decisions will determine whether the Lakers can challenge the Boston Celtics’ record of 18 NBA championships. The franchise’s storied history and Los Angeles market position offer significant advantages, though playing performance ultimately determines success in professional basketball’s fiercely competitive arena.
| Recent Lakers milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| LeBron James departure | NBA’s all-time leading points scorer joined Philadelphia 76ers in summer 2026 |
| Luka Doncic acquisition | Star player arrived from Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 as franchise cornerstone |
| Championship record | Lakers hold 17 NBA titles, one behind Boston Celtics’ record of 18 |
| Ownership transition | Kushner and Iger assume control following Mark Walter’s year-long majority stake |
The broader consequences for professional sports control
The Lakers’ landmark sale marks a notable turning point in professional sports ownership, indicating the ongoing demand amongst wealthy investors and venture capitalists to acquire stakes in elite sports franchises. The presence of notable figures including Josh Kushner and Bob Iger illustrates how control of major sports franchises has become increasingly attractive to wealthy entrepreneurs operating across multiple industries. This trend reveals the significant monetary gains and cultural prestige connected to owning elite sports teams, particularly those with the Lakers’ global brand recognition and enduring legacy. The remarkable price tag of $12.5bn illustrates how sports franchise values have risen sharply in the last several years.
The ownership transition also underscores changing trends in sports governance, where established business executives and venture capital firms now vie with traditional sports moguls for control of iconic teams. Kushner’s involvement, despite recent controversy surrounding his Fifa-related business dealings, suggests that reputational concerns may carry diminishing weight when major financial opportunities emerge. The speed of Walter’s exit—less than a year after obtaining controlling stake—raises questions about time horizons for investment and whether sports teams are increasingly treated as tradeable assets rather than enduring personal ventures. These shifts could reshape the landscape of sports franchise ownership in coming years.