Bill Simmons isn’t the most reliable source regarding the Lakers.
On Thursday’s episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Simmons — a die-hard Celtics fan — claimed, “The Lakers guy doesn’t have the money yet.”
He was referring to Josh Kushner, who bought the Lakers’ franchise from Mark Walter for $12.5 billion in August.
Simmons added, “[Kushner is] still searching for about $5-6 billion of [the money he owes Walter]. Doesn’t have it… [Bob Iger] is putting in the minimum. The minimum is like $63 million. So Kushner has to find all this other money.
“I think they’re using the Buss family as scapegoats for why the deal’s dragging along, but he can’t find the money,” Simmons continued.
It turns out Simmons’ claim isn’t completely accurate.
Ben Horney of Front Office Sports reported on Friday, “Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have been offering Lakers minority stakes to investors starting at $250 million apiece as they build out their ownership group.”
Horney added that some investors will put in significantly higher amounts into the deal.
Most importantly, Horney refuted Simmons’ claim that Kushner “can’t find the money,” saying that there has been “massive demand” to get in on the Lakers deal.
Dan Woike of The Athletic confirmed Horney’s report, adding there aren’t any issues finding money for the $12.5 billion sale in an X post on Friday.
It seems Simmons spoke too soon regarding this Lakers deal being in jeopardy.
