Will Iger is set to take on a new role in professional basketball broadcasting as he joins the team for the Coachella Valley Lakers. The announcement was made on Thursday, marking a significant addition to the broadcast booth for the team’s upcoming season. Iger is the son of Bob Iger, the former Disney chief executive who is currently in the process of becoming a co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Coachella Valley Lakers serve as the G League affiliate for the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA G League functions as a development league designed to prepare players for careers in the NBA. This will be the team’s first season playing in the Palm Springs area after relocating from the South Bay region of Los Angeles. The new season is scheduled to begin on Friday.
According to the Lakers, Will Iger will serve as the play-by-play announcer for the franchise. He will be joined in the booth by A.C. Green, a three-time NBA champion, who will return to his position as the game analyst. This pairing aims to provide a blend of experienced analysis and fresh commentary for the team's broadcasts.
Iger is not new to the world of sports broadcasting. He is coming to the Lakers organization from the Austin Spurs, which is the G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs. Additionally, he has worked as a weekly commentator on The Bounce, a studio show for the Dallas Mavericks. His previous broadcasting experience also includes calling games for the USL soccer team San Antonio FC, as well as college games for Columbia University and Hofstra University in New York.
The timing of Will Iger's appointment coincides with major changes at the parent franchise. His father, Bob Iger, is moving forward to close a deal to acquire a stake in the Lakers. Once the transaction is complete, Joshua Kushner of Thrive Capital is expected to become the primary owner of the team. Bob Iger is anticipated to take on a hands-on operational role in addition to his ownership interest.
Reports indicated that Kushner and Iger were exploring the possibility of an NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas. This interest emerged after it became known that Mark Walter, the current owner of the Lakers, was looking to sell his majority stake in the iconic NBA team. The acquisition process represents a significant shift in the leadership and ownership structure of one of the most recognizable franchises in sports.
Will Iger’s entry into the broadcast world follows a path similar to his father’s early career. Bob Iger began his journey in television in Ithaca, New York, before rising to become a prominent executive. The family’s continued involvement in media and sports highlights the deepening ties between the Iger name and the Los Angeles Lakers organization.
