Bob Iger, Josh Kushner to buy Lakers for $12.5 billion, ESPN reports

The Lakers are being sold to American businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion, a record-breaking price, multiple sources told ESPN.

The businessmen were involved in the expansion process in Las Vegas, but in a stunning turn, they pivoted to make an aggressive offer to buy the Lakers from Mark Walter, who had purchased a controlling interest in the team from the Buss family last year for a then-record franchise valuation of approximately $10 billion.

Inside Josh Kushner and Bob Iger’s blockbuster $12.5 billion deal to buy Lakers

The Lakers are being sold to American businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion, a record-breaking price, multiple sources told ESPN.

“As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world. We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss,” Kushner and Iger said in a statement. “Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.”

Walter, the CEO and chairman of diversified holding company TWG Global, has been the Lakers’ majority owner since last October when his bid was unanimously approved by the NBA.

“Owning the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the great honors of my life — an extraordinary investment, but what I will carry with me is the community, the fans, and a city that treats this team as family. I am grateful to Jeanie Buss, the Buss family, the players, and the staff for welcoming me into this chapter. The Lakers belong to Los Angeles, and I have every confidence the best is still ahead,” Walter said in a statement.

WATCH: Bob Iger, Josh Kushner to buy Lakers. What’s next for the team?

ABC7’s Curt Sandoval discusses what’s next for the Lakers after the franchise’s surprising sale to Bog Iger and businessmen Josh Kushner.

Walter and TWG Global have interests in multiple professional sports organizations, including the Dodgers, Sparks, Premier League club Chelsea and the Professional Women’s Hockey League. And through TWG Motorsports, Walter owns several auto racing teams, including Cadillac Formula 1.

Walter, 66, is only selling the Lakers in this transaction, sources told ESPN.

Walter, who built his financial empire in the insurance industry, is under federal investigation for alleged tax fraud by other companies tied to the billionaire.

Joshua Kushner, left, and Bob Iger are seen on Day 10 of the 2025 US Open Tennis Championships at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2025. XNY/Star Max/GC Images

Bloomberg reported in July that U.S. prosecutors in Manhattan are examining whether Delaware Life Insurance Co. and Clear Spring Life and Annuity Co., two insurers controlled by Walter, failed to disclose that their private credit holdings backed other Walter-controlled ventures. The Securities and Exchange Commission is running a parallel investigation, according to the Bloomberg report.

Kushner, 41, founded and runs venture capital firm Thrive Capital and is the co-founder and vice chairman of Oscar Health. Kushner, who is the brother of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, runs Thrive Eternal, the investment fund to which FIFA wanted to sell a minority stake to run its World Cup tournaments for $4.2 billion. FIFA president Gianni Infantino withdrew that proposal earlier this month.

Kushner holds a minority stake in the Miami Heat and previously was a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies. He will have to sell his stake in the Heat to clear the way for the Lakers purchase.

Iger, 75, was succeeded this year as Disney’s CEO by Josh D’Amaro, ending his second term in the role. In 2024, along with Willow Bay, he became the controlling owner of NWSL team Angel City FC.

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