Former Disney CEO Bob Iger, Josh Kushner plan $12.5 billion purchase of Lakers
Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and investor Josh Kushner plan to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5 billion. Iger and Kushner confirmed the proposed acquisition in a joint statement to the media. The deal still requires approval from the NBA's Board of Governors. Mark Walter, CEO of conglomerate TWG Global, acquired a majority stake in the Lakers in 2025. Iger stepped down as Disney's CEO earlier in 2026. He first took the role in 2005, led the company for more than a decade, and returned as CEO in 2022, serving until 2026. Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, and the founder of New York venture-capital firm Thrive Capital. In a social-media post in April 2026, Kushner disclosed that Iger had joined Thrive Capital earlier in his career and returned to the firm after leaving Disney in March 2026.
Iger and Kushner confirmed the proposed acquisition in a joint statement to the media. The deal still requires approval from the NBA's Board of Governors.
Mark Walter, CEO of conglomerate TWG Global, acquired a majority stake in the Lakers in 2025.
Iger stepped down as Disney's CEO earlier in 2026. He first took the role in 2005, led the company for more than a decade, and returned as CEO in 2022, serving until 2026.
Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, and the founder of New York venture-capital firm Thrive Capital.
In a social-media post in April 2026, Kushner disclosed that Iger had joined Thrive Capital earlier in his career and returned to the firm after leaving Disney in March 2026.