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NBA·ANALYSIS·August 19, 2026 01:22 PM ET

Mark Walter expects Lakers sale to proceed despite Buss family dispute

Record $12.5 billion deal with Bob Iger remains on track.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Aug 191 min read
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What happened: Mark Walter's pending sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to a group led by Bob Iger and Josh Kushner remains on track despite the ongoing Buss family conflict. Walter does not believe the internal legal dispute over the family's minority shares will impact his transaction, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick and Dan Woike. League and team sources similarly indicated the familial battle is not expected to threaten the change in majority ownership.

Why it matters: The stability of the Walter transaction is crucial for the franchise's upcoming transition, as the agreed-upon deal values the team at a record $12.5 billion. While the larger sale remains secure, Jeanie Buss is fighting a separate move by her five siblings to sell their collective shares, a dispute that could ultimately cost her the governor position if she falls below the NBA's 15 percent ownership threshold.

What to watch: The NBA Board of Governors must still approve the ownership transfer. Jeanie Buss and her legal team continue to challenge her siblings' efforts to sell the family trust's shares.

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