Bob Iger’s future ‘ownership’ of LA Lakers has been exaggerated in $12.5B deal

Media reports of Bob Iger’s future “ownership” of the Los Angeles Lakers appear to have been greatly exaggerated, On The Money has learned.

Three weeks ago, a flurry of headlines from major outlets – the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the LA Times, you name it – reported that “Bob Iger and Josh Kushner,” in that order, will be buying the iconic NBA franchise.

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The natural implication would be that Iger is poised to own at least 50% of the team under terms of the $12.5 billion, blockbuster deal, which was cut with embattled Guggenheim Partners boss Mark Walter.

Media reports of Bob Iger’s future “ownership” of the Los Angeles Lakers appear to have been greatly exaggerated, On The Money has learned. Rob Jejenich / NY Post Design

The deal is still under review by the NBA, but the fact is, it’s Kushner – the 41-year-old brother of President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared – who will be the lone controlling shareholder of the Lakers, sources close to the situation said. Under NBA rules that requires him to personally own at least 15% of the franchise, so Kushner himself will plunk down at least $1.875 billion to get the deal done.

How much will 75-year-old Iger be investing? That’s what a lot of folks in Tinseltown are wondering. 

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Consider the fact that Forbes hasn’t weighed in on Iger’s net worth since 2019, when it pegged it at about $690 million. It’s not clear what Iger is worth now, but given that much of his wealth has been tied up in underperforming Disney shares, most doubt it’s more than $1 billion.

Kushner, meanwhile, has seen his fortune skyrocket to $16.7 billion this year, according to Forbes – up from $5 billion last year – as his venture firm Thrive Capital’s shares in OpenAI have gone through the roof.

It’s not clear what Iger is worth now, but given that much of his wealth has been tied up in underperforming Disney shares, most doubt it’s more than $1 billion. NBAE via Getty Images

Here’s the reality: Iger is indeed poised to become a major player with the Lakers when it comes to being a face of the team and an executive overseeing its operations – general…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bob-iger-future-ownership-la-141042241.html

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Publish date : 2026-09-03 14:10:00

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