Lakers set for another ownership change as Bob Iger joins bid
A reported multibillion dollar purchase could put Bob Iger and Josh Kushner in control of the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ front office is confident in its stance that the team will not be sold by Mark Walter, CEO of the Guggenheim Baseball Management group.
After owning the Los Angeles Lakers for less than a year, Walter is in the process of selling the NBA team to former Disney CEO Bob Iger and American businessman Josh Kushner at a reported $12.5 billion valuation. Walter is also said to be in talks to sell his stake in Chelsea FC.
He serves as the principal owner and controlling partner of the Dodgers, while others, such as former Lakers star Magic Johnson and team president Stan Kasten, serve as minority owners.
Despite the flurry of transactions, coming as Walter is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for alleged fraud, Kasten insists the Dodgers are not being sold.
“The Dodgers are not being sold,” Kasten told reporters before the Dodgers’ game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Aug. 21. “They are not for sale. There‘s no process that has been started to sell it.”
Walter and the Guggenheim group purchased the Dodgers in May 2012.