Another American sports franchise has been sold for yet another record price.
On Wednesday morning, news broke that Josh Kushner and Bob Iger had agreed to purchase majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter for a staggering $12 billion, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. It's the largest sale of a professional sports franchise in the world. It's also the second time in recent memory the Lakers have broken that record -- Walter purchased them from the Buss family in June 2025 for $10 billion.
This deal adds to a recent surge in franchise sale prices. Here's a list of some of the most expensive franchise purchases in U.S. sports:
Los Angeles Lakers
Sale price: $12 billion
A little more than a year after their previous sale, the Lakers changed hands again, this time going from Mark Walter to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. Kushner and Iger had made overtures toward an NBA franchise in Las Vegas, but made an unexpected pivot to buy the team from Walter for $2 billion more than he paid in 2025.
Los Angeles Lakers
Sale price: $10 billion
Mark Walter, who previously owned a minority stake in the Lakers and has interests in the Los Angeles Dodgers, the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, the Billie Jean Cup, the Cadillac Formula 1 team and the Professional Women's Hockey League officially bought the team for a record $10 billion in October 2025. The Buss family, who previously owned the team for 46 years, retained a minority stake in the franchise.
Boston Celtics
Sale price: $6.1 billion
Bill Chisholm, managing partner at Symphony Technology Group agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics from the Grousbeck family for $6.1 billion in March 2025. It marked the largest sale of an American sports franchise at the time, surpassing the mark of $6.05 billion set by the Washington Commanders in 2023. The deal came within a year of the Celtics winning the 2024 championship.
Washington Commanders
Sale price: $6.05 billion
Josh Harris is also part of a group that owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. Scott Taetsch/Getty Images This sale came after a period of turmoil and multiple investigations into former owner Dan Snyder, who was fined $60 million after attorney Mary Jo White released her findings. The new owners were a group led by Josh Harris, who -- along with David Blitzer as part of the Harris-Blitzer Sports Entertainment group -- also owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. The team finished the 2023 season with a 4-13 record but went 12-5 in 2024 after drafting quarterback Jayden Daniels.