The pending sale of the Los Angeles Lakers is sending ripples through the entire NBA, resetting the financial benchmark for every franchise in the league. According to CNBC, the $12.5 billion deal — in which Mark Walter is selling to Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger — would boost the average team value across all 30 NBA clubs by 21%, to $6.68 billion.
That figure comes from CNBC’s proprietary team transaction database and reflects a dramatic leap from the league’s previous valuation baseline. The deal, if approved, would represent roughly 20 times the Lakers’ 2025-26 season revenue, an all-time high multiple for a controlling stake in an NBA team. Just last October, Walter acquired a controlling interest in the Lakers at a $10 billion valuation, underscoring how quickly the market for elite sports franchises has accelerated.
Valuation shifts across the league
CNBC has updated its February valuations for all 30 teams to account for the Lakers sale. The Golden State Warriors remain the league’s most valuable franchise, but their worth now climbs to $13 billion, up from $10.8 billion just a few months ago. The biggest percentage gainers since February are the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls, each rising 26%.
These adjustments reflect more than just the headline Lakers price. CNBC’s valuation methodology weighs a range of factors, including historical sale prices and their corresponding revenue multiples, arena economics, market size, and investor demand. The result is a new financial landscape for the NBA, where even mid-tier franchises are seeing their worth climb as the league’s media deals and global appeal continue to expand.
The Lakers’ sale is a landmark moment not only for the franchise but for the entire sports investment world, signaling that top-tier assets can command premium multiples once reserved for only the most extraordinary businesses. For the NBA’s other 29 owners, the new numbers offer a clearer picture of their own stakes — and potential exit opportunities.
While the deal still requires approval, the ripple effects are already being felt up and down the league. CNBC’s updated valuations provide a fresh snapshot of a league in the midst of a financial transformation, one where the Lakers’ record sale has become the new yardstick for measuring success.
Source: www.cnbc.com — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/20/heres-how-the-los-angeles-lakers-12point5b-sale-impacts-the-value-of-all-30-nba-teams.html
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
