Lakers' $12 billion purchase tops record U.S. sports team sales

Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have agreed to purchase majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter for $12 billion, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. The deal marks the largest sale of a professional sports franchise in the world.

It is the second time in recent memory the Lakers have broken that record. Walter purchased the team from the Buss family in June 2025 for $10 billion, and the Buss family retained a minority stake after that sale.

Kushner and Iger had made overtures toward an NBA franchise in Las Vegas before pivoting to buy the Lakers from Walter for $2 billion more than he paid in 2025.

The Lakers deal adds to a recent surge in franchise sale prices across U.S. sports.