TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bob Iger said the decision to acquire majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers with business partner Josh Kushner came together in just three business days after the pair learned that Mark Walter was considering selling his stake in the NBA team.
According to the New York Post, the purchase values the Lakers at a historic US$12.5 billion, making it one of the largest transactions in sports history.
Iger, the former CEO of Disney, and Kushner had initially been pursuing an ownership stake in a potential NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas. But their plans changed last weekend when they were told Walter might be interested in selling his Lakers stake.
“We were involved in pursuing the new franchise in Vegas,” Iger said in an interview with the California Post. “And while that happened, it was suggested to us that maybe Mark Walter would be interested in selling his stake in the Lakers.”
The pair quickly shifted their focus to the Lakers, which Iger described as an iconic franchise with significant value.
“The deal came together in three days,” he said. “It’s that simple.”
Iger, Kushner to Honor Jeanie Buss Agreement
Walter acquired majority ownership of the Lakers from the Buss family at a $10 billion valuation in 2025, setting a record at the time.
As part of that transaction, former Lakers majority owner Jeanie Buss was announced as the team's Governor for at least five years.
Iger said he and Kushner intend to honor the agreement between Walter and Buss.
“We have enormous respect and appreciation for Jeanie, her father and what they’ve contributed to this franchise,” Iger said.
“And we have every intention to honor the agreement that was made between Mark and Jeanie. If things change, they’ll change, but we’re going into this with enormous respect and appreciation for who she is and what she represents in the organization.”
Iger said he has spoken with Buss and Lakers coach JJ Redick but has yet to speak with Lakers star Luka Doncic.
Iger and Redick already had a relationship dating back to Redick's time with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2013 to 2017, when Iger was a longtime Clippers season-ticket holder.
Iger Calls Lakers Ownership an 'Extraordinary' Opportunity
Iger said the opportunity to own the Lakers represented both a major business opportunity and a significant personal milestone.
“Grateful, appreciative, excited to own something that’s as iconic as the LA Lakers,” Iger said.
He added that he and Kushner are avid NBA fans and were particularly drawn to the Lakers because of the franchise's global profile.
“Have an opportunity to own not just any NBA team, but the LA Lakers is... it’s extraordinary from a life experience perspective and business perspective,” Iger said.
“It’s still sinking in. We’re very excited.”
Despite the size of the transaction, Iger said it was too early to discuss potential changes under the new ownership group.
He said he and Kushner want to build on the franchise's existing strengths rather than immediately introduce major changes.
“We’re fans,” Iger said. “We respect the value that’s been created, both on the court and off.”
“Our intention is to build this great franchise from a position of strength in many respects as an organization.”
Bob Iger also acknowledged that the new ownership group still has much to learn about the organization before making decisions.
“We’re smart enough to know what we know and what we don’t know,” he said. “It’s just premature to speculate at all about what we plan to do, because frankly, we haven’t made any plans yet.”
He added: “This is very new.”
