LA Lakers Sold for Record $12.5bn to Kushner and Iger
Key Points
- Josh Kushner and Bob Iger are purchasing the controlling interest in the LA Lakers for $12.5bn (£9.3bn), a new record.
- Mark Walter acquired his majority stake for approximately $10bn (£7.45bn) in October 2025, which was the previous record.
- Luka Doncic, who arrived from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, is now the team's main star after LeBron James departed for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The franchise has won 17 NBA championships, one fewer than the Boston Celtics' record of 18 titles. The Lakers' roster underwent significant change with LeBron James, the highest points scorer in NBA history, departing for the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer at age 41. Luka Doncic, who arrived from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, is now the team's primary star. "Being a Laker means everything to me, and I'm excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA," Doncic said on social media, welcoming the new ownership.
This sale represents a dramatic acceleration in NBA franchise valuations. The gap between Jerry Buss's $67.5m purchase price in 1979 and the current $12.5bn sale reflects the exponential growth in sports media rights, global fan engagement, and real estate values tied to NBA ownership over the past 45 years. For Lakers fans and the broader NBA community, the transition marks a shift from the Walter era to new leadership committed to competing at the highest level while the team rebuilds around Doncic.
Sources: BBC Sport and other international news outlets.
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