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More Details Emerge About Lakers’ New Ownership Control
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- More Details Emerge About Lakers’ New Ownership Control
The Los Angeles Lakers' next ownership structure is beginning to come into focus, and Bob Iger may not hold as much power as initially believed.
Although the Lakers' pending $12.5 billion sale was widely presented as a joint purchase by Iger and Josh Kushner, Kushner is expected to become the franchise's lone controlling shareholder and governor, according to Charles Gasparino of the New York Post.
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"Bob will not be the control person," a source close to Kushner told Gasparino. "It is expected that Bob will be a minority owner, an alternate governor, and lead the management of the team day-to-day, but not the governor of the team."
Nov 5, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers majority ownerMarkWalterduring recognition for the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series victory at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The distinction is important. Iger could oversee the Lakers' daily business and become the public face of the ownership group, but Kushner would hold the final authority over the franchise's major decisions.
Kushner Expected to Become Lakers Governor
NBA rules require a team's controlling owner to hold at least a 15% individual stake. At the Lakers' reported $12.5 billion valuation, Kushner would need to invest at least $1.875 billion personally.
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"There can only be one governor per team and that will be Josh Kushner," another source told the New York Post. "He will be putting up the 15% ownership stake."
Kushner is the founder of venture capital firm Thrive Capital. The 41-year-old businessman is also the brother of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law.
Kushner and Iger are leading a consortium seeking to purchase Mark Walter's 64% stake in the Lakers. The agreement remains subject to approval from the NBA's board of governors.
Walter obtained majority ownership of the Lakers from the Buss family in 2025 at a $10 billion valuation. His decision to sell less than a year later created another unexpected ownership transition for one of the NBA's most prominent franchises.
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Iger Could Still Run Daily Operations
Iger's lack of formal control does not mean his role will be ceremonial.
The former Disney chief executive is expected to manage the Lakers' day-to-day operation while serving as an alternate governor. His lengthy background in media and entertainment would make him a natural choice to represent the organization publicly and oversee its business strategy.
Kushner, meanwhile, is expected to continue running Thrive Capital. That arrangement could leave Iger with considerable practical influence even though Kushner would possess the official controlling stake.
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The reported structure offers a more precise picture than the initial characterization of Kushner and Iger jointly owning the Lakers. Both would have important roles, but their responsibilities would not be equal.
Kushner would control the team at the ownership level. Iger would help run it.
For Lakers fans, the identity of the governor matters because that person holds the final vote on franchise-defining decisions. If the sale is approved under the reported structure, that authority will belong to Kushner.
