Luka Dončić doesn’t mince words on historic $12.5 billion Lakers sale

Lakers superstar Luka Dončić vowed to bring another championship to Los Angeles on Wednesday after the franchise’s surprise $12.5 billion sale to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.

The 27-year-old star player, who was handed the keys to the franchise following LeBron James’ departure in free agency, broke his silence on the blockbuster ownership change in an upbeat social media post.

Dončić said he was “excited” to work with the Lakers’ new billionaire owners as he looks to lead the storied franchise back to NBA glory.

Ultimately, the Lakers’ success will hinge on superstar Slovenian guard Dončić.

He didn’t waste any time making his statement on social media Wednesday morning in the wake of the historic Lakers sale.

“Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA,” Dončić wrote.

“I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together,” he added.

This is exactly the sort of statement that Lakers fans were hoping to see from Dončić, who is clearly optimistic about what this change in ownership will bring.

Most within the basketball community would agree that the Lakers roster isn’t championship-caliber right now. Then again, the team is definitely good enough to earn a spot in the postseason, and Dončić has proven countless times that he can dominate entire playoff series with his elite play.

To add, the Lakers can always acquire more players via trade during the season. And these new owners are clearly showing they won’t spare any expense bringing this franchise back to glory.

Follow the latest on the multibillion-dollar LA Lakers sale:

• Lakers stunningly sold to Josh Kushner, Bob Iger for historic $12.5 billion
• Lakers fans react to blockbuster $12.5B sale: ‘Insane!’
• Lakers’ sudden $12.5 billion sale comes amid Mark Walter federal investigation
• Magic Johnson makes championship promise after historic Lakers sale
• Luka Dončić doesn’t mince words on historic $12.5 billion Lakers sale

Billionaire Mark Walter is selling the Lakers just 14 months after purchasing a controlling stake in the celebrated franchise from the Buss family at a then-record $10 billion valuation.

The $12.5 billion deal represents a $2.5 billion jump in the Lakers’ valuation in barely a year and would again set a record for the largest sale of a US sports franchise.

The transaction still requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and could take several weeks to complete, with the league’s next board meeting reportedly scheduled for September.

Walter, who will retain control of the Dodgers, is selling the Lakers while his Guggenheim Investments firm is under scrutiny from the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Federal investigators are examining how $16 billion in loans to companies tied to Walter, or his holding company TWG Global, ended up with insurance companies he owned after passing through a third party, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Kushner, 41, is the founder and managing partner of Thrive Capital and the son of US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner and brother of White House official Jared Kushner.

Iger, 75, served two stints as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, from 2005 to 2020 and again from 2022 until leaving the company in March.

Iger and his wife Willow Bay became controlling owners of Angel City FC in 2024.

Kushner and Iger had previously been part of a group pursuing a potential NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas before opting to buy the Lakers.

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