Report: Kushner Brother and Former Disney Chief in Talks to Buy LA Lakers for Record Price
Reports say Joshua Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Chapek are leading a bid to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers for a record-setting $12.5 billion.
A consortium that reportedly includes Joshua Kushner, the brother of former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, and Bob Chapek, the former chief executive of The Walt Disney Company, has emerged as a potential buyer of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a report from The Times of Israel. If completed, the transaction would set a new benchmark for the highest price ever paid for a professional sports franchise.
The Reported Bid and Price Tag
Sources cited in the report place the proposed acquisition at approximately $12.5 billion, a figure that would surpass every previous sale of an NBA franchise. The deal would transfer ownership of one of the league's most storied teams, which has won 17 championships and is widely regarded as a global sports brand. Chapek was ousted from Disney in late 2022 after a turbulent tenure marked by strategic disagreements and labour disputes, and he has since been exploring new business ventures. Joshua Kushner, a venture capitalist and founder of Thrive Capital, brings deep financial and entertainment industry connections to the prospective purchase.
Broader Implications for the NBA
A sale at this scale would intensify the financial arms race that has already reshaped the league. In recent years, media rights deals, franchise valuations, and private equity investments have pushed team prices sharply higher.
- The $12.5 billion figure dwarfs the previous NBA record, a sale of the Boston Celtics that closed above $6 billion earlier in 2025.
- Cross-industry buyers, combining entertainment, media, and private capital, are becoming more common in franchise deals.
- League approval, financing structure, and timeline remain unclear pending official confirmation.
What Happens Next
Neither the Lakers organisation nor the prospective buyers have publicly confirmed the discussions. The NBA's Board of Governors would need to approve any change in ownership, a process that can take several months. Observers will be watching closely to see whether the reported price holds through due diligence and whether additional investors join the group.