Kushner and Iger Acquire Lakers for Record $12.5 Billion
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Kushner and Iger Acquire Lakers for Record $12.5 Billion
- Venture capitalist Joshua Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger have reportedly agreed to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers for a record-breaking $12.5 billion.
- This acquisition, announced in mid-August 2026, marks the second sale of a controlling interest in the Lakers within a year.
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Joshua Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital, and Bob Iger, former CEO of Disney, have reportedly reached an agreement to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers for an unprecedented $12.5 billion. This valuation establishes a new record for a professional sports franchise sale in the United States. The deal, which still requires approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors, was reported in mid-August 2026.
This marks a rapid change of ownership for the iconic NBA team. Just 14 months prior, in October 2025, a controlling interest in the Lakers was sold by the Buss family to financier Mark Walter for approximately $10 billion. Walter’s decision to sell the team just over a year after his acquisition has drawn attention, particularly as his wider business empire is reportedly under federal investigation for alleged fraud.
Owning a sports franchise like the Lakers can offer significant financial and tax benefits to investors. These can include depreciation deductions for tangible assets like stadium improvements and equipment, as well as the amortization of intangible assets such as broadcast rights and licensing fees over 15 years. These deductions can decrease taxable income for the organization and potentially provide investors with substantial tax reduction opportunities.
Kushner, a venture capitalist with a history of investments in technology companies like OpenAI and SpaceX, has previously held stakes in other sports teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat. Iger, who returned to Disney as CEO in 2025, has a long-standing interest in sports ownership. The duo had reportedly been exploring an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas before pivoting to acquire the Lakers.