# Los Angeles Lakers ownership dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/los-angeles-lakers-ownership-dispute
> Updated: 2026-08-27T11:05:43.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2.

The Los Angeles Lakers are undergoing a high-value ownership transition that has triggered significant legal conflict within the Buss family. Following a 2025 sale to Mark Walter for $10 billion, the franchise is now being sold to a group led by Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner for a record $12.5 billion.

This transition is contested by team governor Jeanie Buss, who has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against her five siblings. While five of the six Buss siblings voted to sell the family’s remaining 17.8% stake, Jeanie Buss is seeking to prevent the sale and maintain her status as the league-recognized controlling owner. Her legal team argues that the family trust lacks the authority to negotiate the transaction.

During this period of rapid ownership shifts, minority shareholder Patrick Soon-Shiong has indicated he will not sell his 4% stake, and former player Metta Sandiford-Artest reportedly failed in an attempt to purchase a 1% minority stake for $100 million.

## Claims

- The Los Angeles Lakers were sold to Mark Walter for $10 billion in 2025 and then to a group led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion one year later. (disputed)
- The NBA has seen 17 ownership changes across 14 franchises since 2014. (single source)
- Former player Metta Sandiford-Artest attempted to purchase a 1% stake in the Lakers for $100 million but was denied. (single source)
- Jeanie Buss filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against her five siblings to maintain her position as controlling owner of the Lakers. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-27: Los Angeles Lakers ownership undergoes rapid shifts and legal disputes

The NBA is seeing a surge in franchise sales, exemplified by the Los Angeles Lakers' $12.5 billion sale to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, amid legal disputes between the Buss family over ownership.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-lakers-ownership-undergoes-rapid-shifts-and-legal-disputes

### 2026-08-19: Los Angeles Lakers face $12.5 billion sale amid Buss family dispute

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a record $12.5 billion ownership sale to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner, amid a legal dispute between Jeanie Buss and her siblings over the family's remaining stake.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/buss-family-plans-to-sell-remaining-stake-in-los-angeles-lakers

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Cite as: Los Angeles Lakers ownership dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/los-angeles-lakers-ownership-dispute