LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers are under new ownership after a $12.5 billion sale to a group headed by Joshua Kushner, with longtime Disney chairman Bob Iger also part of the purchasing group.
The deal closes in less than 10 months after Mark Walter acquired control of the team. Walter's previous acquisition valued the Lakers at $10 billion, making his exit a 25 percent premium on that figure.
The sale comes during ongoing federal probes into Walter's multibillion-dollar business empire. Questions now surround his other sports assets, including his stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers.
For Kushner, the acquisition comes weeks after his deal to lead an investment in FIFA's proposed $20 billion commercial venture collapsed. He is the brother of Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law.
The $12.5 billion valuation sets a new benchmark for NBA franchises and will likely influence bidding for the league's planned expansion team in Las Vegas.
Sportico released its NFL franchise valuations this week. The Dallas Cowboys lead the NFL at $15.5 billion, followed by the Los Angeles Rams at $12.7 billion and the New York Giants at $12 billion — still ahead of the Lakers' sale price.
