LOS ANGELES, California, August 18, 2026 — The price for the Los Angeles Lakers shattered all previous records as the Lakers were sold for an astonishing $12.5 billion in 2023, a high-water mark for the Los Angeles sports market. It’s the third different ownership group for the franchise in two years, and only 14 months after the last sale.
The team was acquired by investors including Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger from Dodgers owner Mark Walter, who had purchased a controlling interest in the team for $10 billion just 10 months earlier. It made the recent sale of the Boston Celtics ($6 billion) and the successful sale of Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Hornets ($3 billion) look like a change, record title “North American sports franchise” deal after record title “North American sports franchise” deal.
History says it all
The transaction dates back to October 30, 2025, when Walter purchased the Buss family’s controlling interest as part of a $10 billion valuation approved by the NBA Board of Governors. Corporate Filings and Financial Metrics Tracked on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission database. The increased presence of private equity in professional sports ownership is a form of public documentation.
In less than a year, Walter more than doubled his money with a $2.5 billion profit flipping to Kushner and Iger in a hurry. Jeanie Buss retains team governor over the next five years as part of the deal. Walter wrote in an official statement, “The Lakers are Los Angeles, and I know the best is yet to come.” That speaks to the unprecedented size of worldwide interest in high-end sports equipment in southern California.
Soaring Valuations Across Major Teams
The massive Lakers deal is part of a wider increase in Los Angeles sports valuations Last season, the Dodgers brought in an MLB-leading $850 million in revenue according to franchise value rankings. At the same time, Steve Ballmer’s Clippers saw their own valuation hit $7.5 billion, bolstered by the opening of the Inglewood’s Intuit Dome.
Meanwhile, over in Inglewood, the Rams (whose revenue streams from SoFi Stadium are part of the influx) are valued at $7.55 billion. The four LA franchises are now each valued at more than $7 billion. Industry analysts liken this boom to the way championship pedigree, modern stadiums and billionaire cash have upended it in other supply areas with high quality sports franchises. Team executives are concerned that ownerships will merely flip clubs’ roster-wise, but as one investor noted, sports franchises in Los Angeles are still premium trophy assets.
