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$12.5 billion Lakers sale lands Bob Iger as co-owner, years after he said rooting for the team was 'not in my DNA'

8/13/2026

$12.5 billion is the figure the Los Angeles Lakers just changed hands for, with an ownership group that includes former Disney chief executive Bob Iger and investor Josh Kushner.

The transaction closes roughly 14 months after Mark Walter bought the Buss family's controlling stake at an approximate $10 billion valuation, putting $2.5 billion of implied appreciation on the board in that window.

The math on Walter's flip Walter agreed to the Buss family purchase in June 2025 at the $10 billion figure. The $12.5 billion sale price is a 25% step-up on that basis in roughly 14 months.

Walter's business empire has reportedly drawn federal scrutiny over billions in private-credit investments.

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