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Buss Family Divided: $12.5B Lakers Sale Sparks Controversy
18 Aug
Summary
- Buss family may sell remaining 17.8% stake for $12.5 billion.
- Jeanie Buss disputes sale, citing co-trustee approval rights.
- Potential sale could end Jerry Buss's family ownership era.
The storied era of the Buss family's ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers faces potential upheaval, as a significant portion of their stake is reportedly up for sale. The Buss family trust has reportedly voted to sell its remaining 17.8 percent stake in the Lakers to a group including Bob Iger and Josh Kushner at a valuation of $12.5 billion. This move, if finalized, would mark the end of an era that began when Jerry Buss acquired the franchise in 1979.
However, the proposed sale is met with strong opposition from Jeanie Buss, who contends that a 2017 court decision mandates co-trustee approval for any sale. Her legal team asserts she possesses veto power, directly contradicting reports that she will be "out" as team governor. This disagreement has created a public rift, with accusations of "false, defamatory and pernicious information" being leaked to the press.
Charity, a reporter for ESPN, has stood by his reporting, suggesting the situation could escalate into a legal battle between Jeanie Buss and her five siblings. This internal conflict echoes past family disputes, notably Jesse Buss's public statements in November 2025 following his and Joey's dismissal from Lakers roles.
