The Los Angeles Lakers recently changed hands for $12.5 billion to a group involving Bob Iger, a former Disney CEO who previously shared he couldn’t support the team. Iger, alongside Josh Kushner, now has a stake in the Lakers, an interesting development for someone who traditionally supported the Clippers.
In early 2021, Iger elaborated on his Lakers hesitance during a discussion on The Old Man and the Three podcast with JJ Redick, the current Lakers head coach. After relocating to California in 2000, Iger found supporting the Lakers challenging due to his long-standing loyalty to the New York Knicks. The Clippers became his alternative for following basketball because they offered more affordable tickets.
The timing of the Lakers’ sale adds intrigue. Billionaire Mark Walter initially bought the Buss family’s majority stake in June 2025, valuing it at around $10 billion. Slightly more than a year later, the franchise sold for $12.5 billion. This swift resale happens amid reports of federal scrutiny of Walter’s business interests, especially concerning substantial private-credit investment activities. Although no direct connection has emerged between the investigation and the sale, the short interval makes the scenario notable.
Bob Iger, now with the capital to join the Lakers’ ownership, illustrates a significant shift for someone who once categorized rooting for the team as improbable. This new role as part-owner represents a remarkable change in his sports allegiance.
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