The Los Angeles Lakers are on the block again, with a jaw-dropping $12.5 billion changing hands for the historic franchise. This massive sale, reported by ESPN, sees Josh Kushner and Bob Iger taking the reins, barely 14 months after Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter bought the team for a then-record price of $10 billion. Talk about a quick flip!
The Record-Shattering Deal
This isn’t just another ownership change; it’s the LARGEST sale of a professional sports franchise EVER. To put that in perspective, the Lakers’ $12.5 billion sale blows past previous records, including the Seahawks at $9.6 billion, the Celtics at $6.1 billion, and the Commanders at $6.05 billion. Kushner, the younger brother of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared, is no stranger to NBA ownership, having been a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies and previously holding a stake in the Miami Heat. Iger, meanwhile, is the former CEO of Disney. The duo had apparently been eyeing an expansion franchise in Las Vegas, but pivoted hard to grab the Lakers instead. This monster deal still needs approval from the NBA’s board of governors, but the intent is clear. Kushner and Iger made their commitment plain in a statement: “As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.”
Dončić’s Daunting Task Under New Ownership
While the boardroom drama unfolds, the Lakers are also undergoing a massive transformation on the court. After eight seasons, LeBron James left in free agency to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving Luka Dončić to shoulder the immense pressure of leading this storied franchise back to glory. Dončić, alongside Austin Reaves and recently acquired big man Walker Kessler, will try to lift the Lakers back into title contention. But let’s be real, it’s a tall order. Since their last championship in 2020, they’ve only won three playoff series and advanced past the second round just once. The Western Conference is a beast right now, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs looking absolutely dominant, and questions about the Lakers’ depth persist. FanDuel currently pegs them with the sixth-best odds (+2500) to win the West.
The new era under Dončić has seen some significant roster moves. The Lakers traded two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps for Kessler, which shows they’re not messing around. They also bolstered the squad with free agents Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, and Matisse Thybulle, plus adding Cameron Carr in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Dončić will run point, with Collin Sexton or Jaden Harvey backing him up. Austin Reaves takes the starting shooting guard spot, with Bronny James on the bench. Can this revamped squad, now with a new ownership group breathing down their necks, finally turn the corner? It’s going to be a fascinating season to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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