Josh Kushner and Bob Iger Reportedly Buying Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5 Billion

Josh Kushner and Bob Iger are reportedly purchasing the Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5 billion, a record-breaking sports franchise sale.

The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most recognizable sports franchises in the world, are reportedly set to change hands for $12.5 billion — a figure that would make it the largest sale of a sports team in history. ESPN first reported the deal on Wednesday, naming venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger as the buyers. The sale would mark the second time the Lakers have changed hands in less than a year. The Buss family, which has owned the team for decades, previously agreed to sell a controlling stake, and this latest reported transaction would transfer ownership to a partnership headlined by two figures with significant media and political connections — Kushner is married to model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss and is the brother of Jared Kushner, while Iger led Disney for 15 years before stepping down and returning as CEO. The $12.5 billion price tag reflects the soaring valuations of major professional sports franchises, particularly NBA teams, which have seen ownership prices escalate sharply over the past decade. The Lakers, 17-time NBA champions based in Los Angeles, are among the league's most globally marketed and commercially valuable teams. The deal has not yet received formal NBA approval, which is required for any ownership transfer. The reported transaction comes as ESPN — the primary broadcaster of NBA games and owned by Disney, where Iger was CEO — is simultaneously undergoing significant editorial restructuring.

Why it matters

At $12.5 billion, the deal would set a new record for any sports franchise sale globally, signaling how dramatically professional sports team valuations have climbed. The buyer lineup — including a former Disney CEO who oversaw ESPN — raises questions about the intersection of media power, broadcast rights, and team ownership in the NBA.

What's next

The deal requires formal approval from NBA team owners before it can be finalized.

Key facts

• The reported sale price is $12.5 billion, which would be a record for any sports franchise
• Buyers are identified as Josh Kushner, a venture capitalist, and Bob Iger, former and current CEO of Disney
• ESPN first reported the deal on Wednesday
• The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships and are based in Los Angeles
• The transaction would be the second Lakers ownership change in less than a year
• NBA ownership transfers require approval from the league's team owners

Bias & framing notes

All three sources are from The Guardian, which limits source independence. Two of the pieces are opinion or analytical columns rather than straight news reporting, using charged framing such as 'poker chip' and references to 'the most powerful men in America,' which editorializes beyond the confirmed facts. The core transaction detail — Kushner and Iger buying the Lakers for $12.5 billion — originates from an ESPN report cited by The Guardian, not independently confirmed by The Guardian itself.

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