The Los Angeles Lakers are at the center of a major ownership story after reports that venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger have agreed to purchase the franchise for a reported $12.5 billion. The proposed transaction would become one of the most expensive sports-team sales ever, although it still requires approval from the NBA.
The news has also sparked widespread searches for Josh Kushner, including questions about his business career, his relationship with Jared Kushner, his wife, and his connection with Bob Iger.
Who Is Josh Kushner?
Josh Kushner, also known as Joshua Kushner, is an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He is best known as the founder of Thrive Capital, an investment firm focused on technology and high-growth companies.
Kushner has built a major profile in the technology investment industry. Thrive Capital has invested in companies including Instagram, Spotify, Stripe and OpenAI.
Kushner also co-founded Oscar Health. His business career is separate from the political career of his older brother, Jared Kushner.
The latest Josh Kushner Lakers news has now brought him into the spotlight of professional sports.
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger Buy the Lakers
Reports say the proposed Lakers ownership group is led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger.
The reported purchase price is approximately $12.5 billion, making the potential Lakers sale a landmark transaction in sports. The agreement still needs to go through the NBA’s approval process before the ownership change can officially be completed.
Kushner and Iger had previously explored opportunities connected to NBA expansion. Their reported move to acquire the Lakers instead would put two major business figures in control of one of basketball’s most famous franchises.
Who Owns the Lakers?
The answer is currently tied to the ongoing ownership transition.
In 2025, the NBA approved Mark Walter’s purchase of a majority interest in the Lakers from the Buss family. Jeanie Buss remained the team’s governor following that transaction.
Now, if the reported $12.5 billion agreement is approved and completed, the Lakers would move under the control of the ownership group led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger.
That means the franchise could experience another major ownership change only months after Walter’s purchase.
How Much Did Mark Walter Pay for the Lakers?
Mark Walter acquired a majority stake in the Lakers in a transaction valued at approximately $10 billion.
That deal was approved by the NBA in October 2025 and marked a historic change after decades of Buss family ownership.
The reported $12.5 billion transaction involving Josh Kushner and Bob Iger would put the Lakers at an even higher valuation.
Is Josh Kushner Related to Jared Kushner?
Yes. One of the most searched questions following the Lakers news is “is Josh Kushner related to Jared Kushner?”
The answer is yes. Josh Kushner and Jared Kushner are brothers.
Both are sons of real-estate businessman Charles Kushner. However, the brothers have followed different professional paths.
Josh Kushner is primarily known for venture capital and technology investing through Thrive Capital, while Jared Kushner became prominent through real estate and his political role as a senior adviser during Donald Trump’s presidency.
So, Josh Kushner related to Jared? Yes — they are brothers.
Who Is Josh Kushner’s Wife?
Josh Kushner’s wife is Karlie Kloss, the internationally known model and entrepreneur.
Kushner and Kloss began dating in 2012 and married in 2018. Their relationship has attracted considerable media attention because of Kloss’ modeling career and Kushner’s prominent business background.
The family connection has also increased interest in Kushner because his brother Jared is married to Ivanka Trump.
Who Is Bob Iger?
Bob Iger is one of the most recognizable executives in the entertainment industry.
He is best known for his long leadership of The Walt Disney Company. Iger stepped down as Disney CEO in March 2026, with Josh D’Amaro becoming CEO. Iger remains connected to Disney as a senior adviser and board member.
During his time at Disney, Iger oversaw major acquisitions and expansions involving Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox.
That experience could be especially relevant to the Lakers because modern sports franchises are major global entertainment businesses.
Bob Iger and the Lakers
The Bob Iger Lakers connection is particularly interesting because of his experience in media, entertainment and global branding.
The Lakers are not simply an NBA team. They are one of the world’s most recognizable sports brands, with a massive international audience.
Iger’s entertainment background combined with Kushner’s technology and investment experience could give the proposed ownership group a different approach to operating the franchise.
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger: Why the Partnership Matters
The reported partnership brings together two executives with very different backgrounds.
Kushner has experience in venture capital, technology and startup investing. His Thrive Capital has become a significant player in the technology investment world.
Iger brings decades of experience in entertainment, media, international business and corporate leadership.
Together, they could potentially focus on areas such as digital media, technology, global brand expansion and new commercial opportunities for the Lakers.
What Happens to Mark Walter and Jeanie Buss?
If the new transaction receives NBA approval and closes, Mark Walter would no longer be the controlling owner of the Lakers.
Walter became the majority owner after the NBA approved his transaction in 2025. Jeanie Buss remained an important part of the organization’s leadership following that deal.
The proposed Kushner-Iger transaction would represent another major turning point for the franchise.
For Lakers fans, the ownership changes are significant because the Buss family had controlled the franchise for decades before Walter’s acquisition.
Lakers Sold Again? What Fans Should Know
The phrase “Lakers being sold” has generated substantial interest, but there is an important distinction between an agreement and a completed sale.
The reported transaction involving Josh Kushner and Bob Iger still requires NBA approval. Until that process is completed, the deal should be viewed as a proposed ownership transition rather than a finalized change.
If approved, however, the $12.5 billion valuation would make the transaction one of the biggest sales in sports history.
Why the Lakers Sale Is Historic
The Lakers are one of the NBA’s most successful franchises, with a long history of championships, legendary players and global popularity.
The reported $12.5 billion valuation also highlights how dramatically the value of major sports franchises has grown.
Mark Walter’s previous Lakers transaction was valued at around $10 billion. The new reported deal would push the franchise’s valuation substantially higher.
For the NBA, the transaction could become another example of how valuable elite sports properties have become to wealthy investors and business groups.
Josh Kushner Lakers: Key Facts
Here are the main points behind the latest Lakers news:
- Josh Kushner, also known as Joshua Kushner, is the founder of Thrive Capital.
- Josh Kushner and Jared Kushner are brothers.
- Josh Kushner is married to Karlie Kloss.
- Bob Iger is the former Disney CEO and remains associated with Disney as a senior adviser and board member.
- Josh Kushner and Bob Iger are reportedly leading a group seeking to purchase the Lakers.
- The reported purchase price is approximately $12.5 billion.
- Mark Walter previously acquired the Lakers’ majority stake at a valuation of about $10 billion.
- Jeanie Buss remained Lakers governor following Walter’s acquisition.
- The reported new transaction remains subject to NBA approval.
Final Takeaway
The Josh Kushner Lakers story has quickly become one of the biggest pieces of Lakers news because it could bring another major ownership change to the Los Angeles franchise.
Kushner’s technology-investment background and Bob Iger’s entertainment expertise would create a unique ownership combination. The proposed deal would also follow Mark Walter’s historic acquisition of the Lakers majority stake in 2025.
For now, the key question is whether the NBA approves the reported transaction. If it does, Josh Kushner and Bob Iger could become the figures leading the next chapter of one of the world’s most famous basketball franchises.
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