The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a remarkable new chapter, with two influential figures from very different corners of American business—venture capitalist Josh Kushner and longtime entertainment executive Bob Iger—at the center of a blockbuster ownership deal. The pair have agreed to purchase the Lakers for a reported $12.5 billion, a transaction that would establish the highest valuation ever associated with a U.S. professional sports team, subject to approval by the NBA.
The proposed acquisition brings together Kushner’s experience in technology, venture capital and startup investing with Iger’s decades of expertise in entertainment, media and global brand management. Their partnership could create an unusual combination of financial ambition, technological thinking and entertainment-industry knowledge as the Lakers prepare for their next era.
Josh Kushner: From Venture Capital to Sports
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
Josh Kushner has built his reputation primarily through the technology and investment worlds. He is the founder and CEO of Thrive Capital, a New York-based venture capital firm that has invested in several major technology companies. Forbes reported in 2026 that Thrive has backed businesses including Instagram, Spotify, Stripe and OpenAI, while the firm manages approximately $25 billion in assets.
Kushner is also a co-founder and vice chairman of Oscar Health. According to Oscar’s corporate biography, he helped establish the company in 2012 and has remained involved with its board. He studied government at Harvard College before earning an MBA from Harvard Business School.
His growing involvement in professional sports is another important part of his business profile. Kushner has previously held a minority stake in the Miami Heat and has been involved in discussions surrounding potential NBA expansion. The Lakers deal therefore represents a major step forward in his sports ambitions.
Instead of simply investing in a team, the Lakers acquisition would put Kushner at the center of one of the most recognizable sports brands in the world.
Bob Iger: A Hollywood Giant
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
Bob Iger brings a completely different background to the proposed Lakers ownership group. His name is closely associated with one of the most successful periods in the history of Disney.
Iger became Disney’s CEO in 2005 and led the company through major strategic expansions, including the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox. He also oversaw Disney’s international expansion and the development of major theme-park projects.
After leaving the CEO position in 2020, Iger eventually returned to the role in 2022. He remained CEO until March 2026, when Josh D’Amaro succeeded him. Iger subsequently moved into an advisory and board role during his transition away from day-to-day Disney leadership.
His career has given him extensive experience in managing global entertainment properties and understanding the value of storytelling, branding and fan loyalty—all qualities that are particularly relevant to the Lakers.
Why the Lakers Are Different
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
Owning the Lakers is not simply about owning a basketball team.
The franchise is one of the most recognizable names in global sports. With a history featuring legendary players, championship success and enormous international popularity, the Lakers have developed an identity that extends far beyond the NBA court.
That makes the franchise particularly attractive to investors who understand the power of entertainment and global media.
Iger’s background could be especially relevant in this environment. During his Disney career, he repeatedly demonstrated the importance of turning intellectual property and entertainment brands into global experiences. The Lakers already possess a powerful brand, meaning the challenge for new ownership may be finding new ways to expand and modernize it without damaging the identity that made the franchise famous.
Kushner, meanwhile, brings a technology-focused investment perspective. His experience backing fast-growing companies could encourage the organization to explore new approaches to digital media, technology, data and fan engagement.
A Record-Breaking Valuation
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
The reported $12.5 billion price tag highlights just how dramatically professional sports valuations have increased.
The deal would surpass the previous record for a U.S. professional sports franchise. The Lakers had already been among the world’s most valuable sports organizations, and their enormous global following has helped make the franchise an exceptionally attractive asset.
The transaction also comes only about a year after another major Lakers ownership change. Mark Walter’s group had acquired controlling ownership from the Buss family at a valuation reported around $10 billion. The proposed Kushner-Iger transaction would therefore represent another extraordinary increase in the value attached to the franchise.
For the NBA, such transactions demonstrate the continued strength of the league’s most valuable brands.
The Challenge Ahead
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
Buying the Lakers is one thing. Successfully managing the franchise is another.
New ownership will inherit enormous expectations. Lakers fans expect championships, star players and organizational excellence. Every major decision—from roster construction and coaching to business strategy and community relations—will receive intense attention.
The team is also entering a period of transition on the basketball side. The Lakers’ future will depend on developing the right combination of established stars, emerging talent and long-term planning.
For Kushner and Iger, the challenge will be balancing business growth with basketball priorities.
A successful ownership group must understand that a sports franchise cannot be managed exactly like a technology company or entertainment conglomerate. Competitive success on the court ultimately drives much of the excitement surrounding the brand.
Technology Meets Entertainment
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the proposed partnership is the combination of Kushner’s technology and investment background with Iger’s entertainment expertise.
Modern sports organizations increasingly operate at the intersection of sports, media, technology and entertainment. Fans consume games through television, streaming services, social media, mobile applications and other digital platforms.
That creates opportunities for innovative ownership groups.
Kushner’s experience in venture capital could provide access to technology networks and emerging companies, while Iger’s entertainment background could help identify opportunities for storytelling and global audience development.
Together, they could potentially approach the Lakers not only as a basketball franchise but also as a global entertainment platform.
What This Means for Lakers Fans
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
For fans, the most important question is simple: What will the new ownership mean for the team?
The answer will depend on how the ownership group approaches basketball operations, player development, spending and the franchise’s relationship with its supporters.
The Lakers’ history creates a unique responsibility. The franchise has been home to some of basketball’s greatest players and has won 17 NBA championships. Any new ownership group will be judged against that extraordinary legacy.
Kushner and Iger have already emphasized their excitement about becoming stewards of the franchise and their connection to basketball. The transaction, however, still requires formal NBA approval before it becomes official.
A New Chapter for an Iconic Franchise
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger
The proposed partnership between Josh Kushner and Bob Iger represents an intriguing meeting of two worlds.
Kushner has built his career around venture capital, technology and high-growth businesses. Iger has spent decades building and managing some of the world’s most powerful entertainment brands. Their combined experience could give the Lakers an ownership group unlike any the franchise has had before.
The reported $12.5 billion transaction also reflects the extraordinary economic power of elite sports franchises.
Ultimately, the success of this new era will not be measured only by the size of the purchase price. Lakers fans will judge Kushner and Iger by what happens next—how they protect the franchise’s identity, how they invest in the basketball operation, how they connect with fans and, above all, whether they can help bring more championship success to Los Angeles.
If the transaction receives NBA approval, the Lakers will begin a new ownership era with two high-profile businessmen bringing ambitious ideas, extensive networks and very different professional backgrounds to one of the biggest franchises in sports.
For the Lakers, it could be the beginning of one of the most consequential chapters in the team’s modern history.