Sports

LA Lakers Sold to Kushner, Iger in Record $12B Deal

Is this a savvy power grab disguised as fandom or the ownership upgrade the franchise needed?

Published 4 hours ago

LA Lakers Sold to Kushner, Iger in Record $12B Deal

story

Above: Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a layup against the Golden State Warriors at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 18. Image credit: Ian Maule/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

This ownership pairing is what the Lakers needed at a crucial time. Kushner brings unlimited tech money and connections, while Iger's track record turning Marvel and Pixar into global powerhouses means the brand only gets bigger. Salary caps limit roster spending, but scouting, facilities and front office resources just got a massive upgrade.

Richie B on X

Establishment-critical narrative

Billionaire media moguls snapping up the biggest names in sports is not about love of the game; it is about buying influence and control over entire ecosystems. Kushner's Thrive Capital already meddled in the World Cup rights sale, and now the same network owns the Lakers. This consolidation deserves scrutiny, not applause.

Ole IS Right on X

Cynical narrative

Bob Iger may be the face presented to make this chapter hurt less, but the deeper story is about money, influence and political power. Disney's recent decisions — its accommodation of Trump, changes involving LGBTQ+ representation and partnerships with AI companies — look less like principle than positioning. Iger's previous missteps make that interpretation especially difficult to dismiss, even if the allegations related to the Lakers remain unproven.

Rodrigo Azurmendi on X

Nick Field on X