Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger to buy Lakers in record $12.5 billion deal

What This is

• Bob Iger and venture capitalist Joshua Kushner have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers for about $12–$12.5 billion, setting a U.S. pro sports franchise price record if finalized.
• Most reports say the deal still needs approval from the NBA’s board of governors before it becomes official.
• The team is being sold by Mark Walter, the Guggenheim Partners CEO who took control of the Lakers about a year ago at a valuation reported around $10 billion.
• Several outlets frame the sale as another sign of rapidly rising NBA team values, following other recent high-profile ownership deals.
• Some coverage notes major roster change around the Lakers, including LeBron James leaving in free agency and Luka Dončić becoming a central star for the team.
• The Los Angeles Times reports Jeanie Buss will remain the Lakers’ governor, meaning she would keep the official day-to-day link with the league.
• One report says NBA owners have already approved the sale, and the buyers and Walter issued statements about building on the franchise’s legacy.
• Some articles note Walter’s Guggenheim-related business has faced reports of a federal investigation tied to a whistleblower complaint.
• The Miami Herald notes Kushner has been linked to Miami, and that NBA rules could require him to divest any ownership stake he holds in the Miami Heat.

Why This Matters

• It shows how fast the market value of top sports teams is rising, especially in the NBA.
• It shifts control of one of the most famous U.S. sports brands, which can shape long-term decisions on spending, leadership, and fan experience.
• It highlights how wealthy investors and media executives are increasingly central players in sports ownership.
• The rapid resale after last year’s controlling-stake deal raises questions about what drives ownership changes beyond wins and losses.