Bob Iger Buys L.A. Lakers In Big Bucks Post-Disney Slam Dunk

Fulfilling almost every American boy’s dream, Bob Iger has bought himself a big city sports franchise.

The ex-Disney CEO and Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital have scored the L.A. Lakers for $12.5 billion, Deadline has confirmed.

“As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world,” courtside regular Iger and Kushner said in a statement Wednesday. “We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.”

It’s been a true whirlwind for the multi-championship winner Lakers the past year — and we’re not just talking about LeBron James leaving and joining the 76ers.  

Angel City FC stakeholder Iger and the once FIFA touted financial player (and Donald Trump family member by marriage) Kushner take a controlling interest in the one-time home of Magic, Shaq, and Kobe from Mark Walter just about a year after the Guggenheim Partners CEO bought the Lakers from the Buss family for $10 billion. and the controlling owner of MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers,

The subject of a federal investigation over his finances, Walter also owns Los Angeles Dodgers and has interest in several other sports teams around the globe. In terms of finance, Iger and Kushner’s purchase of the Lakers would be the highest valuation ever for a sports team.

Disney-owned ESPN first broke the news of the Lakers’ new owners.

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