Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner Buy Into LA Lakers at $12.5B
Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and VC founder Joshua Kushner have acquired Mark Walter's stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at a $12.5 billion valuation.
Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capital founder Joshua Kushner have purchased Mark Walter's ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, with the deal valuing the storied NBA franchise at more than $12.5 billion, according to a source familiar with the transaction. The acquisition marks one of the largest valuations ever placed on a professional sports team in the United States.
Iger, who led Disney for more than two decades before stepping back from day-to-day operations, brings deep entertainment industry experience to the ownership group. Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital, adds a prominent name from the venture capital world to what is already one of basketball's most high-profile franchises.
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The deal centers on the stake previously held by Mark Walter, the financier and co-owner who has also been involved in ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The transaction underscores the accelerating appetite among ultra-wealthy investors for premium sports assets, which have consistently outpaced broader market returns in recent years.
The Lakers, one of the NBA's most globally recognized brands with 17 championships, represent a marquee asset in professional sports. A valuation exceeding $12.5 billion would place the franchise among the most expensive sports properties ever sold anywhere in the world, reflecting both the team's brand strength and the booming market for live sports media rights.
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