The Lakers' newest co-owner, Josh Kushner, may find himself in a Manhattan courtroom sooner than he'd like, as European soccer's governing bodies intensify their legal push against FIFA President Gianni Infantino. According to the New York Post, UEFA has filed a motion in federal court to compel Kushner and his investment firm, Thrive Capital, to hand over documents and sit for depositions tied to Infantino's abandoned $20 billion commercial scheme.
The filing claims that Kushner and Infantino were in discussions for nearly a year before the terms sheet was signed, with the roots of the proposal stretching back to July 2025. At that time, Kushner approached Greg Maffei, former head of Liberty Media, during the Allen & Company conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. The revelation adds a new layer of intrigue to an already explosive saga.
Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, has largely stayed out of the political spotlight. But his $16.7 billion net worth and recent partnership with former Disney CEO Bob Iger to purchase the Lakers for a record $12.5 billion have put him in the crosshairs of European soccer authorities. They see his involvement in the FIFA deal as a potential smoking gun.
The FIFA Scandal Unfolds
The controversy began in late July when Infantino proposed creating a new entity to hold commercial rights for major competitions, including the World Cup. FIFA planned to sell roughly 20% of this new company to private investors, potentially raising $4.2 billion and valuing the enterprise at around $20 billion. The proposal sparked immediate outrage from regional confederations, who claimed they were blindsided and not properly consulted.
Critics argued that effectively selling off a portion of the World Cup's future revenues represented a dangerous privatization of soccer, raising serious questions about transparency and governance. The involvement of Thrive Capital, founded by Kushner, only intensified scrutiny due to its ties to the Trump family.
The backlash quickly became a leadership crisis for Infantino. UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation strongly opposed the plan, with UEFA even threatening to boycott FIFA competitions if it proceeded. FIFA's own senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned in protest, and other executives distanced themselves from the initiative.
Infantino ultimately scrapped the proposal on August 1, but the fallout has continued. UEFA has called for greater oversight, and some have withdrawn support for his leadership. The legal battle now focuses on uncovering the full extent of the discussions between Kushner and Infantino, with European soccer bosses demanding answers.
This case echoes other recent controversies in the soccer world, including the tragic death of a young midfielder that shook the sport. While that incident was a tragedy, the FIFA scandal is a governance crisis that threatens the integrity of the game's highest office.
For Kushner, the deposition request adds another layer of complexity to his high-profile entry into NBA ownership. He now faces the prospect of legal scrutiny from across the Atlantic, just as he settles into his role with the Lakers. Whether he'll cooperate or fight the subpoena remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: European soccer bosses are not backing down.
