Josh Kushner teams with Bob Iger to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers
Venture capitalist Josh Kushner partnered with former Disney chief Bob Iger to purchase the Lakers, stepping into a high-profile media role.
Josh Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital, joined forces with former Disney CEO Bob Iger to buy the Los Angeles Lakers after investigations into Mark Walter's insurance holdings raised concerns about the team's ownership. The partnership was arranged swiftly, with Kushner contacting Iger and finalizing the purchase within a few days to preempt competing offers. Kushner's firm, valued at over $65 billion in assets, has invested in high-growth companies such as Instagram, SpaceX and OpenAI, contributing to his personal net worth of roughly $16.7 billion.
Though he has long avoided the spotlight, the Lakers deal thrust him into a prominent media position, contrasting with his brother Jared's political connections. Colleagues praise Kushner's curiosity, work ethic and low-profile demeanor, traits that attracted Iger's partnership.
Why it matters
The deal puts a major tech investor in control of a flagship sports franchise, linking Silicon Valley capital with the NBA.
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