The Los Angeles Lakers have a new ownership group, and the price tag alone is enough to make anyone look twice. Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger have agreed to acquire the franchise at a record $12.5 billion valuation, reportedly the largest ever for a U.S. professional sports team.
The agreement still requires NBA approval, so the pair is best described as the Lakers’ incoming owners for now.
But the more interesting question is how two men from very different corners of business reached the financial level required to become part of the Lakers’ next chapter.
How Did New Lakers Owners Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger Make Their Fortunes? Net Worth ExplainedAccording to Forbes, Kushner, 41, founded Thrive Capital in 2009 at age 24. The venture-capital firm went on to invest in major technology companies, including Instagram, Spotify, Stripe, and OpenAI.
The publication estimates that Kushner owns about 66% of Thrive, which was valued at $5.3 billion in a 2023 funding round.
Thrive has grown substantially since then. The firm raised $5 billion for its ninth fund in 2024 and now manages approximately $25 billion in assets, according to Forbes. Its investments, particularly in high-growth technology and artificial intelligence, have been the central engine behind Kushner’s wealth.
Per Forbes, Kushner’s estimated real-time net worth is approximately $5.2 billion as of July 28, 2026.
Meanwhile, Iger took a very different route. He began his career at ABC in 1974, eventually becoming Disney’s president and chief operating officer before taking over as CEO in 2005. He led the company for 15 years, returned as CEO in 2022, and remained in the role until March 2026.
His tenure coincided with some of Disney’s biggest strategic moves. Under Iger, Disney acquired Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, launched Disney+, expanded internationally, and dramatically increased its market value. Disney says the company’s market capitalization increased fivefold during his first tenure as CEO.
Iger’s wealth has also been built through executive compensation and equity. Disney’s 2026 proxy, via the SEC, reported $45.84 million in total compensation for fiscal 2025, with 97% of his target direct compensation classified as variable or performance-based.
Exact figures for Iger’s worth aren’t publicly disclosed, so estimates should be treated as such rather than hard financial facts.
The $12.5 billion Lakers valuation also should not be confused with Kushner and Iger’s combined personal wealth. They are leading an ownership group, meaning the purchase is backed by a broader pool of capital rather than simply two personal checks totaling $12.5 billion.
Kushner built his fortune by investing in technology, while Iger spent decades climbing the entertainment industry ladder before becoming one of Disney’s most influential executives.
Kushner brings Silicon Valley money and investment expertise, while his Lakers co-owner brings decades of entertainment and media experience. Now, that seemingly unlikely combination is stepping into the NBA’s biggest spotlight, with the franchise’s enormous price tag showing just how valuable the business of basketball has become.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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