The ongoing saga of the Los Angeles Lakers' ownership continues to captivate sports fans and legal experts alike. Jeanie Buss, the current governor of the Lakers, is in a heated dispute with her siblings over the sale of their collective stake in the team. This family feud has the potential to reshape the future of one of the NBA's most iconic franchises.
Jeanie Buss, a prominent figure in the NBA, has been a key player in the team's operations for decades. However, her siblings, in a surprising turn of events, voted to sell their remaining 17.8% stake in the Lakers. The proposed sale to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger at a valuation of $12.5 billion has sparked a legal battle that could have significant implications for the team's future.
The crux of the matter lies in a legal provision known as a 'tag-along' right. This clause, included in the previous sale to Mark Walter in June 2025, grants the family the right to tag along to any sale and valuation secured by Walter. Jeanie Buss, as the controlling owner for five years, had agreed to this arrangement. However, her siblings argue that the sale to Kushner and Iger meets the criteria for the tag-along provision, allowing them to proceed with the sale.
Jeanie Buss's legal team, led by Adam Streisand, has taken a strong stance. They argue that a 2017 court ruling mandates that no sale can be effectuated without the approval of the co-trustees, including Jeanie, Janie, and Joey Buss. Streisand's letter emphasizes the importance of maintaining the minimum 15% ownership requirement to ensure Jeanie Buss's continued role as the controlling owner. He demands that the siblings respect the court's decision and refrain from selling the stake.
The tension within the Buss family is palpable. Jeanie Buss's abstention from the vote and her lack of response to the family's decision have further fueled the dispute. The family meeting on Tuesday, where the sale to Kushner and Iger was not discussed, only added to the intrigue. Some sources suggest that the meeting itself 'spooked' the family, leading to renewed calls for the sale of the remaining shares.
This legal battle raises several questions. What implications will it have for the Lakers' future? Will Jeanie Buss's legal challenges succeed in preventing the sale? The answers to these questions remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Buss family's dispute has the potential to significantly impact the team's direction and the legacy of one of the NBA's most historic franchises.
