Los Angeles Lakers Sold for $12.5 Billion: New Ownership Revealed

A $12.5 Billion Valuation

This landmark transaction represents a staggering upward shift in the valuation of elite sports franchises. Just last year, Mark Walter acquired the Lakers for a montant déjà record de 10 milliards de dollars environ, which was considered a record-shattering watermark for professional basketball assets at the time.

New Leadership Steps Forward

Kushner and Iger addressed the impending acquisition in a joint public statement. “En tant que fans de NBA depuis toujours, nous sommes profondément honorés par l’opportunité de prendre les rênes des Los Angeles Lakers, une des franchises sportives les plus iconiques au monde,” the incoming ownership group stated. “Nous avons un respect immense pour le leadership et la vision de Jerry et Jeanie Buss.”

The End of the Buss Era

Jeanie Buss has served as the controlling owner and president of the franchise, guiding the organization through multiple eras of competitive basketball and maintaining the family's deep-rooted connection to the team established by her late father, Dr. Jerry Buss.

Mark Walter Reflects on Tenure

Mark Walter, chief executive officer of TWG Global and the majority stakeholder who spearheaded the previous ownership phase, reflected on his tenure with the franchise following the agreement. “Être propriétaire des Lakers de Los Angeles a été l’un des plus grands honneurs de ma vie — un investissement extraordinaire, mais ce que je garderai en mémoire, c’est la communauté, les supporters et une ville qui considère cette équipe comme sa famille,” Walter said. “Je suis reconnaissant envers Jeanie Buss, la famille Buss, les joueurs et le personnel de m’avoir accueilli dans cette aventure. Les Lakers appartiennent à Los Angeles, et je suis convaincu que le meilleur reste à venir.”

NBA Board of Governors Review

Despite the agreement being reached between the buyers and current stakeholders, the sale is not yet finalized. According to ESPN, the transaction remains subject to formal review and approval by the NBA’s board of governors.