Disney CEO Bob Iger and Josh Kushner are poised to become the new majority owners of the Los Angeles Lakers, a transaction that comes just 14 months after Mark Walter initially agreed to purchase the franchise and 10 months after Walter officially took the helm. The rapid shift in ownership has sent ripples through the National Basketball Association, raising questions about the team's future direction.
Iger confirmed in an exclusive interview with the California Post that he and Kushner intend to honor an existing agreement with Jeanie Buss, which stipulates she will remain the team's Governor for at least the next few years. However, Iger also noted that "if things change, they’ll change," leaving the door open for future adjustments.
The specifics of how quickly this deal materialized were shared by Iger, though many questions surrounding the Lakers' next steps remain unanswered.
Among the immediate concerns is the reaction of franchise superstar Luka Doncic. This pending transaction would mark the fifth majority ownership group he has played under during his tenures with the Mavericks and Lakers in the past three years. Following the initial news of the sale, Doncic posted on social media, "Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA. I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together."
As of Wednesday morning, Iger stated he had not yet spoken with Doncic. However, a source informed the Post that Doncic texted Iger and Kushner on Thursday morning, and the three are planning to meet soon. ESPN reported that Doncic, currently in Europe, plans to conduct a video call with Iger and Kushner next week from Slovenia, where he is hosting a Lakers minicamp later this month for his teammates.
The official transfer of majority ownership is subject to the approval of the NBA's Board of Governors. This process could extend for several weeks, with the next board meeting scheduled for September in New York. Historically, NBA ownership sales require approval from at least three-quarters of the Board of Governors. The sale of the Lakers to Walter was approved on October 30, 2025, after a 4.5-month agreement period. Other sales, like the Trail Blazers in March 2026, took 7.5 months from agreement to approval, while the Celtics' sale took five months.
Joshua Kushner's prior experience as an NBA owner, including minority stakes in the Grizzlies and the Heat, may influence the speed of the approval process. He will be required to divest his stake in the Miami Heat before taking control of the Lakers.
Beyond these procedural matters, Iger described it as "premature to speculate at all about what we plan to do, because frankly, we haven’t made any plans yet." Consequently, the long-term implications for the Lakers' basketball and business operations remain uncertain. The timing and valuation of this sale are described as unprecedented, signaling the beginning of a new era for the franchise.