Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger are reportedly among those trying to buy the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that could become one of the biggest ownership sagas in American pro sports. The Lakers are one of the NBA’s most valuable and recognisable brands, and any deal involving them would command enormous attention. But any proposed purchase would still face major financial, ownership and league-approval hurdles before becoming official.
Lakers Sale News Goes Viral Immediately
Few professional sports franchises have as big a global profile as the Los Angeles Lakers.
Legendary players, Hollywood connections, a huge international fan base and championship success built the organization’s reputation.
History alone can turn even reports that a potential ownership group is looking into a purchase into a big story across sports and financial markets.
Any deal would be compared to recent record-breaking valuations of franchises across the NBA.
Joshua Kushner’s Deep Investment Experience
Joshua Kushner is best known as the founder of venture capital firm Thrive Capital.
A background in technology investing and private markets could make him a major financial player in a potential sports ownership group.
Of course, buying an NBA franchise isn’t cheap and prospective owners often form groups of wealthy investors to help fund a purchase rather than a single individual.
The exact details of any Kushner-backed Lakers plan still matter to how serious the reported effort is.
Bob Iger Adds Entertainment Industry Know-How
Bob Iger would add a very different type of experience to a potential Lakers ownership group.
During his tenure at the helm of Disney, Iger guided some of the entertainment industry’s biggest acquisitions and managed major global brands in film, television, streaming and sports media.
That background could prove especially apropos for the Lakers, considering the franchise’s position at the intersection of professional basketball, entertainment, celebrity culture and global media.
He would likely draw considerable attention even if his investment were less than that of other investors.
Lakers valuation could be huge
A move of that magnitude for the Lakers would be one of the biggest sports deals ever.
The rise in media rights deals, sponsorship dollars, overseas fans and the finite number of franchises available have sent NBA franchise values through the roof.
The Lakers also have the Los Angeles market, historic success, huge fan base and commercial appeal on their side.
Any of those factors could easily push a sale price well above valuations attached to many other NBA teams.
Buss Family Ownership Still the Story
Since Jerry Buss bought the franchise in 1979, the Lakers have been synonymous with the Buss family.
The family’s ownership made Los Angeles synonymous with the “Showtime” era and then championship teams led by stars including Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James.
Thus, any change in controlling ownership would be a historic change for the organisation.
Reports of talks should not be taken as confirmation the team is under new ownership until an official announcement of a deal.
Any ownership change would have to be OK’d by the NBA
Buying an NBA team is not just a private transaction between buyer and seller.
Future owners will be subject to financial reviews, background checks and league rules on ownership structures.
Any change in controlling ownership usually requires the approval of NBA governors.
That can take some time, especially when there is a large investment group and there are several ownership interests to review.
Lakers’ Strategic Value Boosted By Media Rights
The Lakers’ value goes beyond ticket sales and merchandise.
Professional basketball has become much more important for streaming services, TV networks, advertisers, and tech companies seeking premium live programming.
The NBA media ecosystem places great commercial significance on marquee franchises like the Lakers.
Owning it could provide investors with a background in tech or entertainment exposure to an asset that sits at the centre of sports, media and global consumer culture.
Sources
- Los Angeles Lakers – Official franchise ownership, team and organisation announcements
- NBA – League ownership regulations, governance information and official transaction approvals
- Thrive Capital – What You Ought To Know About Joshua Kushner And His Investment Portfolio
- The Walt Disney Company – Company Profile and Executive Background of Bob Iger
- Sportico – U.S. sports business reporting, franchise valuations and pro-team ownership coverage
