The Los Angeles Lakers are embroiled in a high-stakes ownership dispute that its current leader, Jeanie Buss, likens to the dramatic power struggles depicted in HBO's "House of the Dragon." The conflict centers on the legacy of her late father, Dr. Jerry Buss, who purchased the team in 1979 and built it into a dynasty with 11 NBA championships.
Dr. Buss's succession plan designated Jeanie Buss to take over as controlling owner. This instruction was further reinforced by language in the family trust requiring trustees to maintain her control. However, following his death in 2013, family harmony fractured, leading to repeated contests for authority.
A History of Familial Discord
This is not the first time Buss family members have clashed over the Lakers' leadership. In 2017, after Jeanie Buss dismissed her brother from his basketball operations role, Jim and Johnny Buss reportedly pushed for a new Lakers board that would have excluded Jeanie, jeopardizing her position as controlling owner. Jeanie Buss responded by obtaining a restraining order and initiating legal action, ultimately solidifying her authority.
These internal conflicts have been compared to the Targaryen family's fight for the Iron Throne in "House of the Dragon," where familial loyalty erodes in the pursuit of power.
The Latest Power Struggle
The current dispute ignited when, according to ESPN, five of the Buss siblings reportedly voted to sell their remaining 17.8% stake in the Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. This potential sale followed an agreement by majority owner Mark Walter to sell his controlling interest at a $12.5 billion valuation. Jeanie Buss was the sole sibling who did not vote in favor of the sale.
Jeanie Buss's legal team is arguing that the proposed transaction is invalid under the terms of the family trust. Her objection stems from the potential loss of her control over the team; if her ownership stake falls below a certain threshold, she would no longer meet the requirements to remain Lakers governor.
This latest maneuver by some of her siblings has shifted alliances, reminiscent of the fluid loyalties in "House of the Dragon," where family members align and realign based on opportunities to seize power.
Legacy and Control
Dr. Jerry Buss acquired the Lakers in 1979, and under his family's stewardship, the franchise has achieved more wins than any other in NBA history over that period. His vision for the team's future, however, has been complicated by the ongoing internal battles for control.
The situation highlights the enduring challenge of inherited power, where proclaimed succession does not guarantee peaceful acceptance, a theme central to both the Lakers' recent history and the "House of the Dragon" narrative. The fight for the Lakers now involves billionaires, legal challenges, and a legacy spanning nearly five decades.