Historic Deal: The 'Lakers' Change Owners
A major event has occurred in the world of professional sports that will reshape the NBA landscape for decades to come. One of the most decorated and recognizable brands in basketball history — the 'Los Angeles Lakers' — has changed hands. According to information from the authoritative outlet ESPN and verified by Sport RBC.UA, control of the franchise is passing to a consortium led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, head of media giant Disney. The deal is valued at over $12 billion, making it one of the most expensive transactions in sports history.
The new owners are individuals with colossal experience in media and investments. Josh Kushner, son of Senator David Kushner, and Bob Iger, known for his leadership of The Walt Disney Company, initially considered creating a new franchise in Las Vegas. However, after assessing the market situation, they redirected their ambitions toward purchasing an existing club, offering current owner Mark Walter terms that were impossible to refuse.
Financial Maneuver and Strategic Shift
The change of ownership occurred just one year after the previous major deal. Mark Walter, who heads the TWG Global holding company, acquired the controlling stake from the Buss family in the fall of 2025 for approximately $10 billion. Thus, in a short period of ownership, Walter was able not only to maintain the asset's value but to realize it with a substantial profit. In his statement, Walter thanked the Buss family, the players, and the fans, noting that owning the 'Lakers' was one of the greatest honors of his life.
For their part, Kushner and Iger declared their commitment to the club's history. In a joint press release, they stated: 'As all-around fans of the NBA, we consider it a huge honor to have the opportunity to become the custodians of the 'Los Angeles Lakers' — one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world. Our long-term commitment is to build the future on this foundation, compete at the highest level, and faithfully serve the team, its players, and its fans'.
The Shadow of Scandal: Mark Walter's Legal Troubles
The sale of the 'Lakers' comes against the backdrop of serious legal problems faced by Mark Walter. Currently, he and his company TWG Global are under federal investigation in the US. According to Bloomberg, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are investigating suspicions of tax fraud.
The essence of the investigation is to verify whether insurance companies controlled by Walter concealed the fact of using their funds to finance other private venture projects of the billionaire. Walter, who built his capital in the insurance sector, owns stakes in numerous sports assets, including the baseball team 'Los Angeles Dodgers', the women's basketball team 'Los Angeles Sparks', London's 'Chelsea', Cadillac's Formula-1 teams, and the PW hockey league. The sale of the 'Lakers' may be perceived as a strategic move to reduce risks in the face of possible regulatory sanctions.
Contradictory Data
Although the main details of the deal have been confirmed by authoritative sources, there are nuances in the interpretation of the parties' motives. On the one hand, the official statements by Kushner and Iger emphasize their passion for basketball and desire to develop the club. On the other hand, market analysts note that Walter's sale of the asset for $12 billion against the backdrop of an SEC investigation looks like a classic example of 'capital flight' or a preventive measure to preserve liquidity. So far, neither side has commented on the link between the investigation and the urgency of the sale, leaving room for speculation regarding the true reasons for such a rapid change of power in the legendary club.
