Bob Iger and Josh Kushner Acquire Los Angeles Lakers in $12.5 B Deal

Less than a year after acquiring the Los Angeles Lakers from the Buss family for around $12 billion, Mark Walter is selling the team to a partnership of former Disney chief Bob Iger and investor Josh Kushner for an estimated $12.5 billion. Walter stands to make more than $2 billion on the deal, but the announcement has sparked criticism from fans who are uneasy about the swift ownership change and the Kushner family's political ties to President Trump.

The sale still requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors, a process that could take several weeks. Meanwhile, the franchise has recently undergone other major shifts, including the departure of LeBron James and the addition of his son Bronny to the roster. The upcoming NBA season, set to begin on October 20, will be the first under the new ownership if the transaction is cleared.