Los Angeles Lakers Sold for $12.5 Billion: New Owners, Purchase Price, and the Incredible History of the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are entering another historic era.
One of the most famous franchises in professional sports is at the center of a blockbuster ownership deal involving former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Joshua Kushner.
According to reports published on August 12, 2026, Iger and Kushner have agreed to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers from billionaire Mark Walter for approximately $12.5 billion. If completed, the transaction would set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a U.S. professional sports franchise.
But the story becomes even more remarkable when you look at the Lakers’ ownership history.
Just about a year earlier, Mark Walter acquired the controlling interest in the Lakers from the Buss family for a franchise valuation of approximately $10 billion.
So why is the Lakers franchise changing hands again so quickly? Who are the new buyers? And how did a basketball team once purchased for a tiny fraction of today’s valuation become a $12.5 billion global sports empire?
Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
- Who Is Buying the Los Angeles Lakers?
- How Much Are the Lakers Being Sold For?
- Who Is Bob Iger?
- Who Is Joshua Kushner?
- What Happened to Mark Walter?
- The Lakers’ Incredible Ownership History
- How the Lakers Became a Global Sports Brand
- Lakers History: From Minneapolis to Los Angeles
- Jerry Buss and the Birth of the Showtime Lakers
- Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
- Why Are the Lakers Worth $12.5 Billion?
- What the New Ownership Could Mean for the Lakers
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Buying the Los Angeles Lakers?
The reported new ownership group is led by two high-profile business figures:
- Bob Iger – former CEO of The Walt Disney Company
- Joshua Kushner – founder of Thrive Capital and venture capitalist
The pair had previously explored the possibility of pursuing an NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas. Instead, the opportunity to acquire the Lakers appears to have changed their plans dramatically.
The reported purchase price is $12.5 billion.
The transaction still requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and completion of due diligence, meaning the deal should currently be described as an agreed acquisition rather than a fully completed sale.
Lakers Acquisition at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Current controlling owner | Mark Walter |
| Reported new buyers | Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner |
| Reported purchase price | Approximately $12.5 billion |
| Previous major sale | Mark Walter, approximately $10 billion |
| Previous controlling owners | Buss family |
| NBA championships | 17 |
| Original location | Minneapolis |
| Los Angeles move | 1960 |
| Current home | Los Angeles, California |
How Much Are the Lakers Being Sold For?
The reported price is approximately $12.5 billion.
That figure is extraordinary even by the standards of modern professional sports.
What makes it even more interesting is the timing.
In 2025, Mark Walter acquired the majority interest in the Lakers at a valuation of approximately $10 billion. The NBA formally approved the transaction, while the Buss family retained an ongoing interest and Jeanie Buss remained the team’s governor.
Now, only about a year later, the Lakers are reportedly changing hands again at approximately $12.5 billion.
That represents a roughly $2.5 billion increase in headline valuation in a remarkably short period.
This is one of the clearest examples of how valuable elite American sports franchises have become.
Who Is Bob Iger?
Bob Iger is one of the most recognizable executives in the global entertainment industry.
He served as CEO of Disney and was heavily involved in the company’s expansion into some of the world’s biggest entertainment brands.
Iger also has a long-standing interest in sports and entertainment businesses.
His involvement in the Lakers is particularly interesting because the Lakers are not simply a basketball team.
They are effectively a global entertainment brand.
The Lakers combine:
- Professional basketball
- Television and media rights
- Sponsorships
- Merchandise
- International fan engagement
- Entertainment
- Celebrity culture
- Digital media
That combination makes Iger’s background particularly relevant to the franchise’s future.
Who Is Joshua Kushner?
Joshua Kushner is a venture capitalist and the founder of Thrive Capital.
He has built a significant investment career in technology and growth-stage companies.
Kushner and Iger had reportedly been exploring opportunities related to a potential NBA expansion team before the Lakers opportunity emerged.
The Lakers therefore represent something very different from simply buying an NBA expansion franchise.
Instead of building a new team from the ground up, the pair would be taking control of one of the most recognizable sports brands in the world.
What Happened to Mark Walter?
This is perhaps the most surprising part of the entire story.
Mark Walter acquired majority control of the Lakers in 2025 after the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the transaction.
The Buss family had controlled the Lakers for 46 years.
Under the agreement, Jeanie Buss remained the Lakers’ governor and continued overseeing day-to-day operations.
Walter is also a major figure in professional sports ownership, including his involvement with the Los Angeles Dodgers and other sports properties.
But now, approximately one year after acquiring the Lakers, Walter is reportedly selling the franchise to the Iger-Kushner group.
The reported price of $12.5 billion would make the transaction another milestone in the rapidly increasing value of professional sports franchises.
The Incredible History of the Los Angeles Lakers
To understand why someone would pay $12.5 billion for the Lakers, you have to understand the history of the franchise.
The Lakers were not originally based in Los Angeles.
They began as the Minneapolis Lakers in 1947-48.
The name “Lakers” came from Minnesota’s famous nickname, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
Even after the team moved to California, the name remained.
The franchise relocated from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1960.
That move transformed the organization into one of the most important sports brands in America.
The Lakers Before Los Angeles
The Lakers were already successful before arriving in California.
The Minneapolis Lakers won multiple championships during the early years of the NBA, led by superstar center George Mikan.
However, the move to Los Angeles opened an entirely new chapter.
Los Angeles offered something Minneapolis could not easily replicate:
Hollywood.
The Lakers eventually developed a unique relationship between professional basketball and the entertainment industry.
That relationship became one of the most important elements of the Lakers brand.
Jerry Buss: The Owner Who Changed the Lakers Forever
One of the most important moments in Lakers history came in 1979.
Real estate developer Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers as part of a larger transaction with Jack Kent Cooke.
The overall deal was valued at approximately $67.5 million, involving the Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings, The Forum and other assets. The Lakers portion itself was reported at approximately $16 million.
Today, that number seems almost unbelievable.
A team whose Lakers portion was around $16 million eventually became part of a franchise valued at $12.5 billion.
But Jerry Buss didn’t simply buy a basketball team.
He created an entirely new entertainment model.
Magic Johnson and the Showtime Era
In 1979, the Lakers selected Magic Johnson with the No. 1 overall pick.
That decision would change NBA history.
Magic Johnson became the centerpiece of the famous “Showtime Lakers.”
Alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and other stars, the Lakers became one of the most entertaining and successful teams in basketball.
The NBA and Hollywood connection became stronger than ever.
The Lakers were no longer simply a sports franchise.
They became a cultural phenomenon.
Kobe Bryant Created Another Lakers Dynasty
The next major chapter came with Kobe Bryant.
Bryant spent his entire NBA career with the Lakers and became one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.
Together with Shaquille O’Neal, Bryant helped lead the Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000 through 2002.
After Shaq’s departure, Bryant eventually led another championship run.
The Lakers won the NBA championship in 2009 and again in 2010.
Kobe’s relationship with the Lakers became one of the defining player-and-franchise relationships in modern sports.
LeBron James and the Modern Lakers
In 2018, another global superstar arrived in Los Angeles.
LeBron James signed with the Lakers and immediately brought another level of global attention to the franchise.
In 2020, the Lakers won their 17th NBA championship, tying the Boston Celtics for the most championships in NBA history.
The Lakers’ championship history is one of the main reasons the franchise has such enormous global value.
How Many NBA Championships Do the Lakers Have?
The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships.
Their championship history includes multiple eras:
- Minneapolis Lakers
- Showtime Lakers
- Shaq and Kobe dynasty
- Kobe’s 2009-2010 championship teams
- LeBron James’ 2020 championship team
The NBA recognizes the Lakers as one of the league’s most successful franchises, with 17 championships.
Why Are the Lakers Worth $12.5 Billion?
The answer is much bigger than basketball.
1. Global Brand Recognition
The Lakers are one of the most recognizable sports brands on Earth.
Even people who do not regularly watch the NBA know names such as:
- Magic Johnson
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Kobe Bryant
- Shaquille O’Neal
- LeBron James
That historical connection creates enormous brand value.
2. Los Angeles
Location is another major factor.
Los Angeles is one of the world’s largest entertainment and media markets.
The Lakers benefit from the combination of sports, Hollywood, celebrities and international tourism.
3. Media Rights
Modern sports franchises generate enormous revenue from television and streaming rights.
The value of live sports has continued to increase because fans still want to watch major sporting events in real time.
4. Sponsorships
The Lakers have a massive international audience, allowing the franchise to attract major corporate partnerships.
The team continues to develop commercial partnerships across global markets.
5. Merchandise
Lakers merchandise has become a global fashion and sports phenomenon.
The purple and gold colors are recognizable far beyond California.
The Most Interesting Part: The $67.5 Million vs. $12.5 Billion Comparison
This is perhaps the most fascinating financial story in Lakers history.
In 1979, Jerry Buss became the Lakers’ owner through a broader $67.5 million transaction.
Today, the franchise is reportedly being acquired at a valuation of approximately $12.5 billion.
The numbers illustrate the extraordinary growth of professional sports as an asset class.
The Lakers have transformed from a valuable basketball team into a global entertainment and media property.
What Could the New Ownership Mean for the Lakers?
The biggest question for fans is not simply who owns the team.
It is:
What will the new owners do with the Lakers?
Bob Iger brings decades of experience in entertainment, media and global branding.
Joshua Kushner brings experience in venture capital and technology investments.
That combination could potentially lead to greater emphasis on:
- Global digital content
- International expansion
- New media strategies
- Technology
- Sponsorship growth
- Fan engagement
- Sports entertainment
However, ownership changes do not automatically guarantee basketball success.
The real test will come on the court.
The Lakers’ new ownership will eventually be judged by the same standard that has defined the franchise for decades:
Championships.
Why the Lakers Sale Matters to NBA Fans
The Lakers are more than one NBA team.
They are one of the league’s most valuable commercial assets.
The reported $12.5 billion transaction also demonstrates how dramatically the economics of professional sports have changed.
In 1979, a major NBA franchise could be acquired for a fraction of today’s price.
Today, the same franchise can command a valuation measured in the tens of billions.
That trend could have significant implications for future NBA expansion, franchise valuations, media rights and sports investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is buying the Los Angeles Lakers?
Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Joshua Kushner are reportedly leading the group purchasing the Lakers.
How much are the Lakers being sold for?
The reported purchase price is approximately $12.5 billion, which would establish a new record for the highest price paid for a U.S. professional sports franchise if completed.
Who owned the Lakers before Mark Walter?
The Buss family controlled the Lakers from 1979 until Mark Walter acquired majority control in 2025. The NBA approved that transaction in October 2025.
Who was Jerry Buss?
Jerry Buss was the real estate developer who acquired the Lakers in 1979 and transformed the franchise into one of the NBA’s most successful and commercially powerful organizations. The broader transaction with Jack Kent Cooke was valued at $67.5 million.
When did the Lakers move to Los Angeles?
The franchise moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1960. The “Lakers” name was retained even though Los Angeles is very different from Minnesota’s “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
How many NBA championships have the Lakers won?
The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships, making them one of the two most successful franchises in NBA history.
Is the $12.5 billion Lakers sale already complete?
Not yet. As of August 13, 2026, reports say the deal still requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and completion of due diligence. Therefore, it is more accurate to describe Iger and Kushner as the reported incoming buyers rather than saying the transaction has fully closed.
Final Thoughts: The Lakers Are Entering Another Historic Era
The Los Angeles Lakers have gone through several extraordinary transformations.
They began in Minneapolis.
They moved to Los Angeles in 1960.
Jerry Buss purchased the franchise in 1979 and helped create the Showtime era.
Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James all became part of the Lakers story.
Now another chapter is beginning.
A franchise connected to a roughly $16 million Lakers valuation within Jerry Buss’ 1979 transaction is reportedly approaching a $12.5 billion valuation in 2026.
That is not simply a basketball story.
It is a story about the transformation of professional sports into one of the world’s most valuable entertainment businesses.
And the biggest question now is simple:
Can Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner turn the $12.5 billion Lakers into the next championship dynasty?
For Lakers fans, the next chapter could be just as fascinating as everything that came before it.
