Sports/Lakers—
The reaction you get most about the $12.5 billion deal to buy the Los Angeles Lakers: shock and awe. Shock that it happened. Awe that former Disney CEO Bob Iger and young venture capitalist Joshua Kushner offered a massive sum for the storied NBA franchise. And that businessman and Dodgers owner Mark Walter agreed to the deal, less than a year after buying the Lakers for $10 billion. Sure, that’s a $2.5 billion profit, but when you’re talking about flipping an NBA franchise as legendary as the Lakers, it’s got to be about more than money.
Oh, and Kushner’s connection to President Donald Trump- he’s the brother of Potus’daughter, Ivanka’s husband, Jared- has many Laker fans worried. Trump’s volatile personality and reputation for interfering with things outside of politics cannot be ignored. Today, two Laker superstars, one past and one present, weighed in on the deal.
Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA. I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to…
— Luka Dončić (@lukadoncic) August 12, 2026
Laker fans, you couldn’t have two better owners. I’ve known Bob personally for over 40 years – he has always loved the Lakers and basketball and he will bring championships back to LA.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 12, 2026
