Overview
- Walter has agreed to sell his majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to a group led by Bob Iger and Josh Kushner at a $12.5 billion valuation, with the deal not yet closed and subject to the NBA Board of Governors’ review.
- Recent reporting shows Walter sought large, rapid cash options — including talks to get lump-sum payments from Charter for the Lakers’ and Dodgers’ regional-TV contracts and discussions about a multibillion-dollar loan against his Lakers stake — as federal investigators probe related-party loans tied to insurers he controls.
- The Buss family has split over selling its remaining 17.8% stake, with five siblings voting to sell and Jeanie Buss formally contesting that vote while exploring ways to retain roughly 15% ownership so she can remain the team governor.
- Several minority owners are taking positions that will shape control of the club; Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong has said he will not sell his roughly 4% stake and plans to remain an active partner under the incoming ownership.
- The deal and the disclosed liquidity moves put a spotlight on the Lakers’ value drivers, especially long-term Spectrum TV rights, and set up possible legal disputes, league due diligence and wider questions about Walter’s other assets and the future of his sports holdings.