Lakers' Record $12.5-Billion Sale Resets Sports-Team Valuations

The proposed sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to billionaire venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger for a record $12.5 billion valuation has sent shock waves through the sports-business world. ESPN first reported the deal.

Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have agreed to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5-billion valuation, subject to NBA approval.  [Photo: Troutfam27]

The transaction would surpass Mark Walter's $10-billion purchase of a controlling stake in the Lakers from the Buss family just 14 months ago.

That deal itself had set a record for the highest valuation of a US professional sports franchise. 

Before Walter's Lakers deal, the highest prices paid for controlling stakes in US professional sports teams included Bill Chisholm's $6.1-billion acquisition of the Boston Celtics in 2025 and Josh Harris' $6.05-billion purchase of the Washington Commanders in 2024.

Sports teams are generally valued based on multiples of revenue.

When an owner pays a substantial premium over prevailing valuations, the transaction can raise expectations for other teams in the same league.

The Lakers' proposed $12.5-billion valuation would represent another significant increase over the $10-billion valuation established by Walter's purchase. The transaction remains subject to approval by the NBA Board of Governors and completion of due diligence.