In brief
The iconic LA Lakers franchise has just been sold for a record‑breaking $12.5 bn (≈£9.3 bn), a deal that out‑shines the earlier $10 bn purchase by Mark Walter. Josh Kushner, the brother of former Hollywood mogul Jared Leto’s wife and ex‑Disney CEO Bob Iger, will now own the Lakers. The sale follows a long history of ownership changes that dates back to 1979 when Jerry Buss bought the team for $67 m. With 17 NBA titles—just one shy of the Celtics’ 18—it’s a major shift not only for the Trofeo Laker community but also for the entire A‑League. Fans of the NBA and LA sports scene are watching closely as new owners pledge to build on the legacy, compete at the highest level, and stay true to Lakers’ fans and city. The transaction may also ripple into sports mega‑deal culture, hinting at even bigger moves in the league and beyond.
The Los Angeles Lakers just switched hands for a record $12.5 bn (≈£9.3 bn) – a price that outsized even the recent $10 bn sale to Mark Walter.
Josh Kushner, the brother of former Disney chief Bob Iger, and Iger themselves now own the franchise. They say they’ll honor the legacy built by Jerry and Jeanie Buss and commit to keep competing at the top.
The Lakers have 17 NBA titles – one just shy of the Celtics’ 18. With the next high‑profile season approaching, the deal is a big deal for fans and league stakeholders.
The sale also raises questions about the future of sports‑team ownership, as a club that once cost $67 m in 1979 can now fetch an astronomical price. Will this open the door for other mega‑team deals?
Stay tuned – the Lakers’ next chapter promises new business moves, fresh sponsorships, and maybe even new rivals. For the moment, LA sports fans can’t help but wonder what the next 10 degrees of success will look like under Kushner and Iger’s stewardship.
