Lakers fans are feeling straight-up uneasy right now, and who can blame them? After just nine months, Mark Walter’s ownership era has suddenly ended, with the team selling for a record-breaking $12.5 billion. This whole situation has left the purple and gold faithful wondering what in the world is going on with their team’s future.
A Wild Ownership Rollercoaster
It feels like just yesterday Mark Walter was taking over the reins from the Buss family back in June 2025. Fans were hyped for this new chapter, especially since Walter also owns the Dodgers. That natural connection had everyone pumped for a new era of Lakers basketball. Fast forward to August 2026, and the basketball world got another shocker: Walter agreed to sell the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner. This happened just over a year after he took control, a seriously quick turnaround. Now the team is heading into a new season with a mostly new roster, and FanDuel gives them the sixth-best odds to win the conference, yet they have another new ownership group. Iger and Kushner didn’t exactly bring the same instant excitement that Walter did, and that’s understandable.
Why the Unease Is Real
If you’re a Lakers fan and feeling apprehensive about this new ownership, you’re not alone. Our SB Nation Reacts survey showed fans are clearly worried, and honestly, you’ve got every right to be. The drama around Walter’s investigation, which ended up triggering this sudden sale, was a wild ride to begin with. Then you’ve got the ongoing back-and-forth between the Buss siblings about selling their remaining shares. And the new owners? They come with their own baggage, for sure.
Iger’s history as Disney CEO has its highs and lows; he did great things, no doubt, but his tenure also stirred up controversy. We’re talking about the Scarlett Johansson lawsuit against Disney and his public feud with former successor Bob Chapek. Kushner, who’s Jared Kushner’s younger brother, brings his own stuff to the table, beyond just the family’s notable political ties. His venture capital firm, Thrive Capital, has poured billions into OpenAI. AI is a super sensitive topic for a lot of people, mainly because it’s steadily replacing jobs. So yeah, Lakers fans, should you feel uneasy? The facts say yes. These new owners absolutely come with baggage. But hey, the Lakers and drama have always gone hand in hand. Embrace the fears, but also embrace this new era of Lakers basketball, because it’s here.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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