Bill Simmons is not the most reliable source regarding the Lakers.
On Thursday’s episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Simmons — a die-hard Celtics fan — said, “The Lakers guy doesn’t have the money yet.” »
He was referring to Josh Kushner, who purchased the Lakers franchise from Mark Walter for $12.5 billion in August.
Simmons added: “(Kushner) is still looking for about $5 to $6 billion (of the money he owes Walter). He doesn’t have it… (Bob Iger) puts in the minimum. The minimum is about $63 million. So Kushner has to come up with all this other money.
“I think they’re using the Buss family as scapegoats for why the deal is dragging on, but they can’t find the money,” Simmons continued.
It turns out that Simmons’ claim isn’t entirely accurate.
Ben Horney of Front Office Sports reported Friday: “Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have offered minority stakes of the Lakers to investors starting at $250 million each as they build their ownership group. »
Horney added that some investors would invest significantly higher amounts in the deal.
Most importantly, Horney refuted Simmons’ claim that Kushner “can’t come up with the money,” saying there was “massive demand” to participate in the Lakers deal.
Dan Woike of The Athletic confirmed Horney’s report, adding that there would be no problem finding money for the $12.5 billion sale in an X article on Friday.
It appears Simmons spoke too soon about the threat of this Lakers deal.
Gn sports
