Lakers Sold for $12.5B, New Owners Plan $30B Valuation

The Los Angeles Lakers have been sold to a group led by Joshua Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger for a record $12.5 billion, with the new ownership outlining an ambitious plan to triple the franchise's valuation to at least $30 billion within the next decade. The deal, which is pending NBA approval, would see the investment firm Thrive Capital, helmed by Kushner, take a controlling stake from seller Mark Walter. Central to the ownership group's financial strategy is a plan to significantly increase ticket revenue by reducing the role of brokers. According to documents prepared for investors, the team aims to reclaim approximately 6,000 season tickets currently held by brokers and convert them to single-game sales. This move is projected to raise the average ticket price from $217 to $361 within two years, a potential increase of roughly 66 percent. The investor presentation projects the Lakers will generate $681 million in total revenue for the 2026 season, with ticketing and gameday revenue accounting for the largest share at $245 million. Local and national media rights are projected to contribute $180 million and $144 million, respectively.