Jeanie Buss Opposes Lakers Sale to Kushner and Iger
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Jeanie Buss Opposes Sale of Family’s Lakers Stake to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner
The recent announcement that a group led by Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger is poised to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers from current owner Mark Walter has reignited tensions within the Buss family, whose patriarch Dr. Jerry Buss built the franchise into an NBA powerhouse during his lifetime. Jeanie Buss, the dominant figure in the family after years of power struggles with her brothers, has accused her siblings Joey and Jesse of leaking false information to ESPN’s Shams Charania about the family’s plans to sell their 17.8% stake in the team.
According to a scathing letter from Jeanie Buss’ attorney Adam Streisand, the two brothers have engaged in a “years-long pattern” of sabotage aimed at undermining her authority as controlling owner. This internal conflict reflects the changing landscape of professional sports ownership, where billionaires like Kushner and Iger are increasingly willing to take on the financial burden of owning an NBA team.
The Buss family’s storied history with the Lakers is well-documented, with Jerry’s vision and leadership driving the franchise to multiple championships. However, since his death in 2013, the family has struggled to find common ground, with Jeanie emerging as a strong advocate for the team’s values and traditions. Her brothers have been accused of prioritizing their own interests over those of the team.
A court order from 2017 cemented Jeanie Buss’ position as controlling owner of the team, but the current sale bid would circumvent that arrangement and pave the way for Kushner and Iger to take control. This raises important questions about the role of family ownership in professional sports – and whether the interests of the team’s fans and employees are being adequately represented.
The drama unfolding within the Buss family is a stark reminder that even the most successful franchises can be fragile and susceptible to outside pressures. As the sale bid moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the NBA’s board of governors weighs in – and whether Jeanie Buss’ efforts to block her family’s stake from being sold will ultimately prevail.
The sale of the Lakers’ stake would not only impact the team itself but also have broader implications for professional sports ownership. As billionaires like Kushner and Iger continue to buy into teams, it’s worth asking what impact their involvement will have on the game we love. Will they prioritize profits over people, or will they find a way to balance the bottom line with the needs and aspirations of fans and employees alike?
The Buss family feud may be a soap opera for some, but its implications run far deeper – into the very heart of what it means to own and operate a professional sports team.
Reader Views
- TTThe Trail Desk · editorial
The Buss family's internal power struggle is putting a wrench in the works of Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner's plans to acquire the Lakers. Jeanie Buss' claim that her brothers have been sabotaging her authority raises questions about whether Kushner and Iger are getting entangled in a familial mess they might not be equipped to untangle. As the sale bid heats up, it's worth considering whether outsider ownership is always the best solution for sports teams, or if family legacy can bring a unique level of dedication and tradition that billionaires simply can't replicate.
- MTMarko T. · expedition guide
The Buss family's dysfunction is well-documented, but the true question here is whether Jeanie Buss' opposition to the sale is purely altruistic or if she's merely protecting her own interests. The 2017 court order granting her control of the team was a victory for stability, but also limited her ability to negotiate with potential buyers. A Kushner-Iger partnership would undoubtedly bring deep pockets and savvy business acumen, but at what cost? Are they truly invested in the Lakers' legacy or just looking to bank on their brand value?
- JHJess H. · thru-hiker
It's about time someone shed light on the Buss family's dysfunction. Jeanie's been a stabilizing force for the Lakers since she took control, but her siblings' attempts to undermine her are just a power play. The real issue here is that Kushner and Iger would be buying into a toxic ownership environment. How can they promise to run the team in the best interests of fans when they're stepping into a situation where the Buss family's personal dramas have already compromised the franchise?