Lakers Heirs Invest in San Diego Padres

Jesse and Joey Buss, sons of the late Lakers owner Jerry Buss, have acquired a stake in the San Diego Padres. Their investment firm, Buss Sports Capital, now joins the ownership group led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones. This move represents the first significant acquisition for the brothers' newly formed investment firm, established in September.

Having grown up in San Diego, the Buss brothers expressed honor in joining the Padres. They aim to contribute their experience from nearly two decades in professional basketball operations. Their background includes talent evaluation, roster construction, and organizational planning with the Los Angeles Lakers. They believe these principles are transferable to building sustained success in baseball and aim to help bring a World Series to San Diego.

The brothers were previously involved with the Lakers organization. Following the family's $10 billion sale of the controlling stake to Mark Walter last year, Jesse and Joey, along with most siblings except Jeanie, were dismissed from their roles in November. Jesse had served as assistant general manager, and Joey as vice president of research and development. Recently, Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger agreed to purchase the majority ownership of the Lakers from Walter for $12.5 billion, with reports indicating the Buss siblings would sell their remaining stake.