Jeanie Buss Accuses Siblings of Secret Plot to Oust Her From Lakers Leadership
The Lakers governor seeks a judge's intervention to block her siblings from selling their stake in the team, an action that would jeopardize her position.
Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss has accused her siblings of orchestrating a "cloak and dagger" campaign aimed at removing her from her leadership role.
In a recent court filing, Buss stated that her siblings were motivated by jealousy, believing their father, Jerry Buss, favored her to lead the Lakers. She is petitioning a judge to prevent her siblings from selling their combined 17.8% ownership stake in the team. Such a sale would be detrimental to her position, as NBA rules require a governor to hold at least a 15% stake.
The legal battle is a response to an earlier filing by siblings Joey and Johnny Buss, who sought to have Jeanie removed as co-trustee. Their opposition also contested Jeanie's prior petition to remove them from their trustee roles.
The dispute centers on the family's remaining 17.8% share of the Lakers franchise. Jeanie Buss is determined to maintain control and prevent the sale of these shares, which she believes would end her tenure as the team's governor.
A court hearing scheduled for December 8 will determine whether Jeanie Buss can successfully block her siblings' attempt to sell their stake and retain her leadership of the iconic NBA team.