Kushner and Iger acquire Lakers stake from Walter in $12.5 billion deal
The transaction marks a significant appreciation for Mark Walter, who purchased controlling interest from the Buss family just 14 months prior for $10 billion.
Venture capital founder Joshua Kushner and former Disney chief executive Bob Iger have acquired Mark Walter’s stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at a valuation of $12.5 billion, according to reporting by CNBC. The transaction establishes a new benchmark for NBA franchise valuations and represents a substantial return on Walter’s initial investment.
Walter acquired controlling interest in the historic franchise from the Buss family in October 2025 for approximately $10 billion. The NBA unanimously approved Walter’s initial bid to take control of the team last year, despite a parallel investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission into his undisclosed private credit holdings.
The sale specifically involves Walter’s ownership of the Lakers and excludes his other sports assets, which include the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Sparks. The deal signifies a rapid turnover in ownership for the Los Angeles-based club, with the new principals taking control less than 14 months after Walter’s acquisition.
Kushner is the founder of venture capital firm Thrive Capital and co-founder of Oscar Health, while Iger is the former chief executive of Disney. The acquisition underscores the growing financial interest in major sports franchises, with the $12.5 billion price tag setting a new high-water mark for the league.
The exact final closing date of the transaction has not been specified in available reports. Terms beyond the stated valuation have not been detailed, though the deal confirms the transfer of control from Walter to the new consortium.
