The Lakers have been sold to American businessman Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion, making it the largest franchise sale in sports history.
The stunning deal comes just 14 months after Mark Walter purchased the team at a record-setting valuation of $10 billion.
The Lakers sold for more than twice as much as any other American sports franchise.
The next-highest sales include the Boston Celtics ($6.1 billion), Washington Commanders ($6.05 billion), Denver Broncos ($4.65 billion), Phoenix Suns and Mercury ($4 billion), Dallas Mavericks (3.5 billion), Charlotte Hornets ($3 billion), New York Mets ($2.4 billion), Brooklyn Nets ($2.35 billion) and Carolina Panthers (2.275 billion).
Before Walter purchased the 17-time champion Lakers from the Buss family, Jerry Buss had acquired the team in 1979 for $67.5 million as part of a larger package from Jack Kent Cooke.
“As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world,” Iger and Kushner said in a statement.
“We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.”
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