Josh Harris Says $12.5B Lakers Sale Price Is Worth Every Penny
The LA Lakers set a record pro team sale price at $12.5B. Owner Josh Harris says the valuation is fully justified.
The Los Angeles Lakers have shattered the record for the highest sale price ever paid for a professional sports franchise, closing at a staggering $12.5 billion — and one of the most prominent names in sports ownership is backing the number without hesitation. Josh Harris, who owns both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Commanders, said the Lakers are worth "every bit" of that historic price tag.
Harris's endorsement carries considerable weight in the sports investment world. As the owner of two major franchises spanning the NBA and the NFL, he has a front-row seat to how elite sports properties command premium valuations in today's marketplace. His comments signal that deep-pocketed investors view trophy franchises not just as passion projects, but as blue-chip assets capable of appreciating far beyond conventional financial benchmarks.
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The Lakers' valuation underscores a broader trend in professional sports: team prices have accelerated dramatically in recent years, fueled by surging media rights deals, expanding global fan bases, and limited supply of marquee franchises. The $12.5 billion figure dwarfs previous records and sets a new ceiling that the industry will likely reference for years to come.
For context, a sale price at this level reflects the Lakers' status as one of the most globally recognized sports brands in existence, boasting a storied championship history and a passionate fanbase that stretches well beyond Los Angeles. The deal reinforces that owning a top-tier professional sports team remains one of the most coveted — and lucrative — positions in American business.
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