Iger and Kushner Purchased Lakers for $12.5 Billion
The Los Angeles Lakers have been acquired at a $12.5 billion valuation by a new ownership group.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Basketball
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Bob Iger and Josh Kushner have completed the purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal marks a major transition for the franchise, which currently holds a $12.5 billion valuation.
Why it matters
The new owners aim to grow the franchise into a $30 billion asset by aggressively pursuing sponsorship opportunities and operational efficiencies. This strategy positions the Lakers for a significant increase in future annual earnings.
The franchise generated $681 million in total revenue against $552 million in expenses during 2026, resulting in an annual profit of $129 million. Revenue streams include $176 million from the national NBA broadcast pool and $180 million from local rights.
The players
Bob Iger
Bob Iger is a prominent media executive who has previously served as the longtime CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
Josh Kushner
Josh Kushner is an American businessman and the founder of the venture capital firm Thrive Capital.
The details
The ownership group intends to capture up to $75 million in new sponsorship revenue and extract $20 million in operating cost efficiencies. By 2037, the team is projected to reach $1.6 billion in revenue and more than $589 million in adjusted earnings.
Timeline
The Lakers generated $681 million in total revenue during 2026.
The team plans to generate $150 million in new incremental revenue by 2028.
The current local media rights contract with Spectrum SportsNet expires in 2032.
Projected annual revenue is expected to reach $1.6 billion by 2037.
Season Trajectory
The acquisition significantly alters the financial ceiling for the franchise as it prepares to compete in an era of rapidly escalating sports valuations. The team's aggressive revenue targets suggest a shift toward maximizing local market dominance while navigating the NBA national broadcast pool landscape.
The new ownership aims to secure $150 million in incremental revenue by 2028, which could lead to changes in local sponsorship branding or in-arena experiences for fans. Despite the massive purchase price, the team's local media rights deal with Spectrum SportsNet remains locked in until 2032.
The takeaway
The move reflects a long-term strategy to leverage the brand's global reach into a $30 billion valuation by the late 2030s. Investors and fans should look for significant shifts in corporate partnerships and operational spending as the new group pursues its growth targets.
Further reading
For more on the financial health of the franchise, read our Basketball coverage.
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Should professional sports leagues limit the revenue disparity between their wealthiest and poorest teams?
