The NBA world is in disbelief after the Los Angeles Lakers completed a record-breaking $12.5bn (£9.3bn) sale in a mere weekend. News emerged on Wednesday that Josh Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger, finalized the purchase of a controlling interest in the iconic franchise.

Kushner's swift action came after he approached Mark Walter on Friday regarding the majority stake Walter had acquired just a year prior. The two quickly negotiated an agreement, which, pending approval from the NBA's board of governors, could mark the most expensive sports team sale ever recorded. This transaction would yield a $2.5bn (£1.9bn) profit for Walter in record time.

Walter's decision to sell was unexpected, as he had not been actively seeking to divest his stake. Interestingly, Kushner's move was unrelated to the recent collapse of the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, which his firm, Thrive Eternal, was expected to lead.

The rapid conclusion of the Lakers' sale has shocked the sports community, with reactions pouring in from NBA executives and insiders. Previously valued at $10bn (£7.4bn) in June 2025, the Lakers now surpass not just their previous valuation, but also the $6.1bn (£4.5bn) valuation of the Boston Celtics from last year.

This sale eclipses previous record transactions, including the $4bn (£3bn) sale of the Phoenix Suns in 2023 and the $9.6bn (£7.1bn) sale of the Seattle Seahawks last month. Comparatively, the financial figures associated with this deal dwarf those of notable Premier League clubs, emphasizing its unprecedented nature in the world of sports.