Jared Kushner's brother Joshua, former Disney CEO Bob Iger, buying NBA's Los Angeles Lakers team

In a record-shattering deal, Jewish businessmen Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner are set to purchase the iconic NBA franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers, for an astounding $12.5 billion, according to ESPN. This sale marks a significant shift in ownership for one of professional basketball's most storied teams.

The transaction comes less than a year after the team's controlling stake was sold for $10 billion to Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners. Walter, who also owns several other sports franchises including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chelsea FC, is reportedly seeking cash to repay loans amid a Department of Justice investigation.

Joshua Kushner, 41, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, is a billionaire venture capitalist. He currently holds a minority stake in the Miami Heat, which he will need to divest to finalize the Lakers purchase. He was previously a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies.

"As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world," Iger and Kushner stated. "We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles."

This acquisition continues a trend of high-profile NBA team transactions involving Jewish businesspeople, including recent deals involving Mat Ishbia (Phoenix Suns), Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall (Charlotte Hornets), and Miriam Adelson's purchase of the Dallas Mavericks from Mark Cuban.

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As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world. We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.