Stephen A. Smith Labels New Lakers Owner Bob Iger the ‘Michael Jordan of Executives’ After $12.5 Billion Deal

Bob Iger was the CEO, chairman and President of the Walt Disney Co. for a long time before leaving the company earlier this year.

Stephen A. Smith Labels New Lakers Owner Bob Iger the ‘Michael Jordan of Executives’ After $12.5 Billion Deal

Stephen A. Smith and Bob Iger (Image via Awful Announcing/Internet HOF/X)

Now that Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have become the new owners of the Los Angeles Lakers, all eyes will be on the franchise as it bids to become one of the best, not just on the court, but also as an organization.

The Buss family was known to be the poorest in the league, and that showed when it came to investing in the facilities and personnel. Only the presence of superstars such as LeBron James and others helped to mask those issues.

Then, when Jeanie Buss sold a majority stake to Mark Walter, it seemed as if he would help turn the tide in the same manner he built the Dodgers into the MLB’s most dominant franchise. 14 months later, Josh Kushner and Bob Iger gave Walter an offer he could not refuse.

This $12.5 billion deal should give fans hope of a successful future, considering the former has been steadily growing his businesses, and the latter is credited with helping the Walt Disney Co. become one of the best-performing companies in the country.

The other owner is the greatest executive I have ever known… You can’t do any better than this if you are the Los Angeles Lakers… Two stints at Disney spanning 18 years. Their market cap was $51 billion when the man started. He departed; it was over $252 billion… The man is next-level brilliant. A savant as a businessman… The Michael Jordan of executives.

Stephen A. Smith said

The First Take host believes that this is the best news for the Lakers, since they are getting a young, talented businessman. Then, with Bob Iger, they are getting a man who has a track record of building businesses into success stories.

RELATED
Lakers Promised Luka Doncic His Own “Dallas 2.0” to Chase Another Finals

Bob Iger was a die-hard Clippers fan due to hatred towards Lakers

While Stephen A. Smith believes that his former top boss is the best thing to happen for the Los Angeles Lakers since the previous owner has been embroiled in a federal investigation, videos have appeared showing how Bob Iger has despised this team for decades.

Iger with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer
Iger with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer (Image via AP Hoops/X)

I am a Clippers fan, having moved from New York to Los Angeles back in 2000. Being a big NBA fan, I needed a team to root for. In my youth, the Lakers were a big rival of the Knicks, the team that I grew up rooting for. I couldn’t root for the Lakers easily. It was not in my DNA. So I decided to adopt the Clippers.

Bob Iger said

This revelation means that not only did he not like the Lakers while growing up, but he continued to harbor those feelings through his newfound fandom for the Clippers.

The irony is that this revelation happened when he appeared on the Old Man and the Three podcast, where he was speaking with the now-Lakers head coach JJ Redick.

At the time of this episode, the two shared their collective love for the Clippers. Now, they will be bonding over team meetings and dinners to figure out how to make this new team the best in the league.

RELATED
WATCH: Luka Doncic jokes about coaching career in wholesome reaction with ex-teammate JJ Redick

Bob Iger could bring Chris Paul in as an advisor, claims journalist

Apart from his connection with JJ Redick, Bob Iger also has a close relationship with another former Clippers player. In fact, that other player was in line to get an advisory role if the 75-year-old and his business partner won the bid for the Las Vegas expansion team.

Chris Paul and Bob Iger have been close since Chris arrived in L.A. Bob was a Clippers season ticket holder before the trade. I thought Chris would join Bob in some capacity, maybe as an advisor, if he got the NBA expansion team in Vegas. That might now happen with the Lakers.

Arash Markazi revealed on X

This means that there is a possibility Chris Paul finds his way to the Lakers. He may have been unceremoniously thrown out of the Clippers, but the recently retired guard can still be of use in Los Angeles.

Also Read: