How Josh Kushner became the newest owner of the L.A. Lakers

Key Points:

• Josh Kushner, a relatively low-profile venture capitalist with an estimated net worth of $16.7 billion, quickly seized the opportunity to buy the Los Angeles Lakers alongside former Disney CEO Bob Iger after Mark Walter’s financial troubles emerged.
• Kushner founded Thrive Capital in 2010 while at Harvard Business School, growing it into a powerhouse with over $65 billion under management and investments in high-profile companies like OpenAI, SpaceX, and Anduril.
• Despite facing personal and family scandals, including his father’s conviction for tax evasion, Kushner has maintained a strong reputation for business acumen, work ethic, and discretion, attracting partners such as Iger and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
• Thrive Capital’s notable successes include early investments in Instagram, Spotify, and Stripe, as well as launching the health insurer Oscar, which has grown profitably despite initial skepticism.
• Kushner balances his intense business life with his Jewish heritage and family values, drawing inspiration from his grandmother’s Holocaust survival story and observing the Sabbath weekly to stay grounded.