The Los Angeles Lakers are negotiating a $12.5 billion sale to former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner, a deal that would make the franchise the most valuable in basketball. This comes as the team's recent performance has slumped, with a last result of a 110-115 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 12, 2026, and a recent form of 1 win and 4 losses in their last five games.
What is the status of the Lakers sale?
The sale, which requires approval from the NBA's board of governors, would transfer the iconic franchise from the Buss family. Jerry Buss bought the team for $16 million in 1979 and his children took control after his death in 2013. Now, Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, brother to Jared Kushner, are the leading bidders.
A subplot involves the Buss siblings, who are reportedly arguing over whether to sell their remaining 17.8% minority stake to the new group. This internal debate adds a layer of family drama to the high-stakes transaction. The deal symbolizes a rapid acceleration of private equity investment in professional sports.
Why does this sale represent a major shift for the NBA?
Jerry Buss once represented patient, long-term capital tied to a team's heritage and community. The current sale process highlights a new, faster-paced model. Just 14 months prior, in June 2025, a group led by Mark Walter and Todd Boehly bought a majority stake at a $10 billion valuation.
Walter's potential quick flip for a $2.5 billion profit shows how teams are now treated like speculative real estate assets. The old bonds of tradition and family that connected owners to their franchises are often just marketing tools now. This trend is visible across the league as longtime owners cash in on soaring valuations.
How does the team's current form factor into this story?
The Lakers' business future is booming, but their on-court product is struggling. Their recent 1W-4L run, including losses in their last four games, is a stark contrast to the franchise's historic success. You can track their ongoing challenges in our [standings](/standings) and review their upcoming [fixtures](/fixtures).
This disconnect between financial value and competitive performance is a defining feature of the modern NBA. Other teams like the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls, with owners in place since the 1980s, resist this tide of transient capital. But the lure of massive profits is strong.
What comes next for the Lakers franchise?
If approved, the Iger-Kushner takeover will usher in a third ownership era in less than two years. Their challenge will be to restore the Lakers' championship pedigree while managing a colossal financial investment. The pressure to win and increase the asset's value will be immense from day one.
Fans will watch closely to see if the new owners bring stability or continue the pattern of rapid turnover. The team's roster construction and coaching decisions will be the first indicators of their sporting philosophy. For now, the Lakers remain a symbol of both basketball glamour and the new, calculating economics of the sport.
