A significant dispute has emerged within the ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers, with Jeanie Buss clashing with four of her siblings over the sale of the family's remaining 17.8% stake in the NBA franchise. This internal conflict threatens to disrupt the team's operations as legal proceedings loom.
Five of the late owner Jerry Buss's six children have signaled their intent to sell their shares, citing a desire to "move on and exit gracefully." They issued a statement to ESPN on Monday expressing this sentiment. However, Jeanie Buss, who currently serves as the controlling owner and governor, is contesting the sale. Her legal team contends that a 2017 court ruling mandates that the team cannot be sold without the approval of the co-trustees, which include Jeanie, Janie, and Joey Buss.
This disagreement centers on the sale of the Lakers, which were previously sold to Mark Walter in October 2025 for $10 billion. The original agreement included Jeanie Buss remaining as governor through 2030, an arrangement that the subsequent buyers, Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, reportedly intended to honor. However, the current situation has devolved into a legal dispute, with the potential for the Lakers to be sidelined until the resolution.
The Buss family has a long history with the Lakers, overseeing the franchise for 47 years and building it into one of the league's most successful organizations. Jerry Buss acquired the team in 1979 and under his stewardship, the Lakers won 10 NBA championships. Jeanie Buss took over as governor after his death in 2013, guiding the team to its first championship in a decade in 2020 with LeBron James, and has been recognized as the first female majority owner to win an NBA title.
However, Jeanie Buss's tenure has also been marked by internal family drama. In 2017, she fired her brother, Jim Buss, from his executive vice president of basketball operations role. Later that year, Jim and Johnny Buss reportedly attempted a boardroom coup to remove Jeanie as controlling owner, leading to a lawsuit and a settlement that ultimately strengthened her position. More recently, in November 2025, Joey and Jesse Buss were dismissed from their basketball operations positions, and Janie Buss was removed as the director of the team's charitable services. Reports also emerged suggesting friction between Jeanie Buss and LeBron James, though she stated that he should not be pulled into family matters.
The current ownership dispute reintroduces instability for the Lakers. While Jeanie Buss has been seen as a figure of continuity and comfort for the team, the ongoing conflict with her siblings and potential legal battles could detract from her ability to lead effectively and potentially impact the team's future.