New Lakers Ownership Aims for $30 Billion Valuation Within Decade
Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger lead a group that purchased the team for a record $12.5 billion with ambitious growth plans.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a new ownership group, led by Joshua Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger, following an unexpected sale this summer by Mark Walter. The team was acquired for a record $12.5 billion, and the new owners aim to elevate its valuation to at least $30 billion within the next ten years.
According to an investor presentation cited by The Wall Street Journal, Thrive Capital, the investment firm headed by Kushner, has outlined aggressive financial projections for the franchise. These plans include significant expansion through international growth and leveraging new local media rights opportunities.
Thrive Capital anticipates that by doubling the value of television and streaming rights, the Lakers' valuation could increase substantially. The franchise is already a high-revenue entity, on track to generate an estimated $681 million in revenue for 2026, with ticketing and media rights contributing the largest portions.
Under the new ownership's projections, the Lakers' revenue is expected to reach at least $1.6 billion by the end of 2037. While Kushner and Iger have secured a majority stake, the future role of the Buss family remains a point of discussion. Five of the Buss siblings have indicated their intent to sell their remaining 17.8% share of the team.
However, Jeanie Buss has publicly opposed her siblings' decision to fully divest from the Lakers, a franchise entrusted to her by their late father, Jerry Buss.