Los Angeles Lakers Sale Halted as Jeanie Buss Challenges Sibling's Approval

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss is reportedly taking a bold stance, contesting the plan approved by her siblings to sell the family's remaining 18% stake in the storied NBA franchise to investors Bob Iger and Josh Kushner. This unexpected turn of events has sent shockwaves through the sports world, raising questions about the future of the Lakers and the rights of team ownership.

Background & Context

The Buss family has had a long and complex history with the Lakers, dating back to the team's acquisition in 1979. After the death of patriarch Jerry Buss in 2013, Jeanie Buss emerged as the face of the team, overseeing its operations and navigating the intricacies of team ownership. However, her siblings, including Jesse, Jim, Johnny, Janie, and Joey, have also played significant roles in the team's management, leading to a series of contentious disputes and legal battles.

The most recent chapter in this saga began in 2017, when a court ruling designated Jeanie Buss as the controlling owner of the team through 2030. This decision was the result of a lengthy litigation process, during which the siblings clashed over the team's management and ownership structure. Despite this, the Buss siblings continued to work together, albeit imperfectly, to maintain the team's success on the court.

Key Details

According to reports, Jeanie Buss's lawyers have sent correspondence to her siblings, asserting that a court had ruled in 2017 that no sale could be "effectuated without approval by the co-trustees, i.e. Jeanie, Janie, and Joey Buss." This claim has significant implications for the proposed sale of the Lakers to Iger and Kushner, which was announced just last week. The deal, valued at $12.5 billion, would mark a substantial premium over the $10 billion paid by current owner Mark Walter just a year ago.

Walter, the CEO of Guggenheim Partners, acquired the Lakers from the Buss family in June 2025, sparking a series of events that have led to the current impasse. Iger, the former Disney CEO, and Kushner, the founder of Thrive Capital, had reportedly met with Jeanie Buss, vowing to honor the agreement she had with Mark Walter to remain at the helm through 2030. However, it remains to be seen whether this commitment will be enough to appease Jeanie Buss and her lawyers.

What Experts Say

"The sale of the Lakers is a complex transaction with multiple stakeholders and interests at play," says sports law expert, Michael McCann. "Jeanie Buss's challenge to her siblings' approval is a significant development, as it raises questions about the validity of the proposed sale and the rights of team ownership." McCann notes that the court's 2017 ruling has significant implications for the Buss family's ownership structure and the Lakers' future ownership arrangements.

"This is not just a dispute between Jeanie Buss and her siblings," says sports business expert, Darren Rovell. "It's a broader issue about the ownership and governance of the Lakers, and how that will impact the team's future success on the court and in the market." Rovell notes that the proposed sale of the Lakers to Iger and Kushner has significant implications for the team's brand value, marketing opportunities, and overall financial performance.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jeanie Buss is contesting the plan approved by her siblings to sell the family's remaining 18% stake in the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.
• 2. The court's 2017 ruling designating Jeanie Buss as the controlling owner of the team through 2030 has significant implications for the proposed sale and the rights of team ownership.
• 3. The sale of the Lakers to Iger and Kushner is a complex transaction with multiple stakeholders and interests at play, raising questions about the validity of the proposed sale and the rights of team ownership.
• 4. The outcome of this dispute will have significant implications for the Lakers' future success on the court and in the market, as well as the team's brand value, marketing opportunities, and overall financial performance.

What This Means For You

As a sports fan, the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers' ownership and governance arrangements may be unsettling. However, this dispute also presents an opportunity for the Buss family and the Lakers organization to re-examine their ownership structure and governance arrangements, potentially leading to a more stable and successful future for the team.

"This is a chance for the Buss family to get it right and ensure the long-term success of the Lakers," says Jeanie Buss in a statement. "We will continue to fight for what is best for the team and its fans, and we are confident that we will emerge from this dispute with a stronger and more resilient team." As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Jeanie Buss's challenge to her siblings' approval will ultimately prevail, but one thing is clear: the future of the Los Angeles Lakers is more uncertain than ever.