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Buss Brothers Buy Padres Stake as Lakers Sale Unfolds
Longtime Lakers executives Joey and Jesse Buss are purchasing a stake in the San Diego Padres through Buss Sports Capital, joining an ownership group led by Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano; MLB approved the Padres’ sale at a record $3.9 billion. The move comes as the Buss family pursues the sale of their Lakers minority stake amid an NBA deal led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, valued at about $12.5 billion and awaiting league approval, with Jeanie Buss reportedly opposing the sale and the family having previously sold the majority stake to Mark Walter while retaining a 17.8% share.
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Buss Family Rift Tests Lakers Governance as Iger/Kushner Deal Advances
Amid a Buss family feud over selling Lakers shares, Jeanie Buss fights to stay as team governor as siblings push the sale; the deal with Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner remains on track, with Jeanie’s governance supported by a 2017 court order and the 15% ownership rule, though a future court ruling could reshape who runs the franchise and the sale value remains at $12.5 billion.
Buss Siblings push Lakers sale amid Jeanie’s clash over control
The Buss siblings (Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse) announced they intend to sell the family’s remaining Lakers stake to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, part of a deal that would leave the buyers with a controlling majority of the franchise. Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ controlling owner, disputed the sale in a lawyer’s letter, arguing the co-trustees must maintain her 15% ownership and that any vote to sell would be void. The situation sets up a legal and governance clash that still requires NBA Board of Governors approval and hinges on the ongoing deal with Iger and Kushner.
Jeanie Buss blocks Lakers stake sale to Iger and Kushner, citing controlling ownership
Jeanie Buss opposes selling her family's 17.8% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner, stating she remains the controlling owner per a 2017 court order and any sale requires consent of the co-trustees. The letter argues that a sale would breach fiduciary duties if the co-trustees vote otherwise, and notes the deal would have given Iger and Kushner about 83% overall ownership after purchasing Mark Walter’s stake; Buss says she wants to hold the stake for value and to maintain her governor role as the matter unfolds.
Ohtani unlikely to trigger opt-out amid Dodgers ownership chatter
Shohei Ohtani’s contract includes a rare key-man clause allowing him to opt out if Mark Walter or Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman left, but league sources say he’s unlikely to exercise it even if Walter sells the team. Ohtani’s camp views leadership continuity and the Dodgers’ commitment to reinvesting his contract as reasons to stay, despite ownership rumors and the Lakers’ sale. The Dodgers have emphasized stability under Walter and Friedman, and Ohtani remains under contract through 2033.
Lakers land record $12.5B sale in a weekend frenzy
Los Angeles Lakers agreed to sell a controlling stake for $12.5 billion in a weekend, potentially the most expensive sports-team deal ever, to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger; NBA approval is needed, and the move signals a rapid franchise transition as it rebuilds post-LeBron, with Magic Johnson backing the buyers.
Iger and Kushner Take Lakers Into a New Era in $12.5B Switch
The Los Angeles Lakers are changing hands again, with Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner buying from Mark Walter for about $12.5 billion—a rapid rise from last year’s $10B valuation. The deal, which does not affect Walter’s Dodgers or Sparks, still requires NBA Board of Governors approval and due diligence; Jeanie Buss will stay as governor for at least five years, and it remains unclear how the new owners will run basketball operations while questions linger about Walter’s finances.
ESPN Parts Ways with Damien Woody Amid Summer Talent Shake-Up
ESPN has not renewed Damien Woody's contract after 15 years as an NFL analyst; he will continue appearing on air through the month by his own choice as the network conducts a summer talent shake-up that has also touched Karl Ravech and Ryan Clark, although Ravech remains on air for now. Woody, 48, plans to pursue other opportunities after his ESPN tenure and was a fixture on shows like Get Up and First Take.
Cowboys Lead NFL Valuations as League Surges to $299B
Sportico’s 2026 NFL valuations show the 32 teams are worth a combined $299 billion, up 31% year over year to an average of $9.34 billion per team—the biggest jump since tracking began. The Dallas Cowboys top the list at $15.5 billion, with the Rams, Giants, Patriots and Jets rounding out the top five. The rise is driven by record media deals, strong local revenue and sponsorships, and ongoing investor interest, highlighted by high-profile sales and LP stake deals across the league.
Lions appoint Haddad as new president and CEO, signaling a leadership shift
The Detroit Lions named Richard Haddad, previously the Pistons’ COO and chief legal officer, as their new president and CEO, replacing retiring Rod Wood. Haddad is a Michigan native and a 2022 Forty Under 40 honoree, and will start in early September after wrapping up his Pistons duties, with the organization praising his leadership and vision for the franchise.
MVP-PFL Merger Aims to Challenge UFC, Yet Brown Warns It’s a Distant Second
The PFL is merging with Jake Paul–backed MVP to form a combat-sports conglomerate aiming to challenge the UFC, but UFC's massive reach and branding make it unlikely to topple the king. Veteran fighter Matt Brown says the rivalry will remain a distant No. 2 and advises MVP to carve its own lane—like BKFC—rather than engage in a costly head-to-head battle.