A sweeping change in NBA ownership is reportedly on the horizon as Josh Kushner, younger brother of President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, joins forces with former Disney chief executive Bob Iger in a bid to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to the Daily Caller, ESPN reported on August 12 that Kushner and Iger are poised to commit an unprecedented $12 billion to secure control of the storied franchise. As corporate titans and lifelong NBA fans, they declared in a joint statement, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world, signaling a blend of big-money investment and personal passion that has become a hallmark of modern professional sports.
Their statement continued with a nod to the Buss family legacy that helped define the Lakers championship culture, saying, We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. They added that, Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles, language that will likely reassure traditionalists wary of coastal elites and corporate influence reshaping a beloved institution.
Mark Walter, CEO and chairman of TWG Global, has served as the majority owner of the Lakers since October 2025, overseeing the franchise through a period of transition in a league increasingly driven by media deals and progressive activism. Owning the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the great honors of my life, Walter said in a statement, according to ESPN, before emphasizing that the franchises identity is rooted in its community.
Walter paid tribute to that bond by stating, The Lakers belong to Los Angeles, and I have every confidence the best is still ahead. With Kushner and Iger pledging long-term stewardship and competitive excellence, the looming sale raises a pivotal question for fans and free-market advocates alike: whether this record-breaking private investment can restore a focus on winning and tradition in an NBA often distracted by politics and cultural posturing.
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