Fundz
Funding, M&A, exec moves and hiring — matched to your market, with the people to call.See plans →

Kushner and Iger acquire Lakers for $12.5 billion

PRIVATEAug 14, 20262 days ago

Acquiring Company

Thrive Capital

Acquired Company

Los Angeles Lakers

Los AngelesAtlantaFinanceVenture CapitalAngel InvestmentSports

Description

Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have partnered to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter for a record $12.5 billion. This marks the highest valuation ever for a sports franchise sale. The deal was finalized in just three days, showcasing the urgency and excitement around the acquisition. Both new owners are looking to make an impact, despite their limited experience with the Lakers.

Company Information

Company

Thrive Capital

Location

Los Angeles, California, United States

About

Thrive Capital is a venture capital firm founded by Josh Kushner in 2009. The firm has made significant investments in various technology companies, including OpenAI and SpaceX. It is known for its strategic approach in identifying and supporting innovative startups. Thrive Capital has gained prominence in the tech investment landscape.

Don't miss Thrive Capital's next move

Get an email the moment Thrive Capital makes an acquisition, hires an exec, or expands — usually minutes after it happens.

One email per event. Unsubscribe anytime.

Predictive Intelligence
Strategic

ML-powered predictions for Thrive Capital's next move

Learn about Strategic plan

M&A Insights

Based on deal data
Integration timeline
70% of M&A integrations take 12-24 months to complete
Tech stack consolidation
83% of merged companies consolidate technology vendors within first year
Post-acquisition investment
Companies increase IT spending by 23% on average after acquisitions
Success factor
M&A deals with strong technology integration plans are 2.5x more likely to succeed

Frequently asked

Who acquired Los Angeles Lakers?

Los Angeles Lakers was acquired by Thrive Capital, based in Los Angeles. The deal was reported on August 14, 2026. Thrive Capital is a venture capital firm founded by Josh Kushner in 2009. The firm has made significant investments in various technology companies, including OpenAI and SpaceX. Thrive Capital is privately held and operates in Finance.

When did Thrive Capital acquire Los Angeles Lakers?

Thrive Capital's acquisition of Los Angeles Lakers was reported on August 14, 2026. Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have partnered to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter for a record $12.5 billion. This marks the highest valuation ever for a sports franchise sale. Fundz records the date the transaction was first publicly reported, sourced from filings and company announcements.

What does Los Angeles Lakers do?

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. They are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, with a rich legacy and numerous championships. It is privately held, operating in Sports, and is based in Atlanta.

Fundz is a real-time business intelligence platform powered by agentic AI that proactively delivers personalized daily signals — including funding rounds, executive changes, M&A activity, 13F institutional filings, SEC 8-K events, investor activity, and website modifications — based on each user's watchlist and ICP. A trusted data source at firms such as BlackRock, Oracle, Kleiner Perkins, LinkedIn, HubSpot, and Cloudflare, Fundz democratizes the institutional-grade intelligence that previously required a PitchBook or Bloomberg terminal. Features include FundzWatch™ for automated website change detection, Daily Briefing for AI-powered daily briefings, and unified cross-signal alerts across 200,000+ companies. Developers and data teams can access these signals programmatically via the Fundz Funding Data API, with transparent published pricing.