Jeanie Buss is contesting a family vote to sell the remaining minority ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers.
The dispute threatens to end the Buss family's 47-year legacy of ownership over the 17-time NBA champion franchise [2]. While the family has held a controlling interest for decades, this move would divest the final remaining shares held by the heirs of late owner Jerry Buss.
On Monday, Aug. 17, six children of Jerry Buss voted to sell the remaining 17% stake in the team [1, 3, 4]. However, Jeanie Buss, the controlling owner, is opposing the move. A lawyer for the Buss family said any family vote on the issue is "void" due to requirements of the family's trust [3].
The legal challenge centers on whether the vote adhered to the specific guidelines established in the family trust. According to the family lawyer, the process did not meet these requirements [3]. If the sale proceeds, it would formally conclude the family's nearly five decades of leadership within the organization [2].
Reports on the potential buyers have varied. Some sources indicate the stake may be sold to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner [2], while other reports mention owner Mark Walter [3].
Despite the vote on Monday, the sale is not yet finalized [1]. The conflict between Jeanie Buss and her siblings creates a period of uncertainty for the franchise's ownership structure as the legal validity of the trust vote is debated.
“Jeanie Buss is contesting a family vote to sell the remaining minority ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers.”
This dispute highlights the complexity of managing professional sports franchises through family trusts. Because the Lakers are one of the most valuable assets in global sports, the disagreement over a minority stake—even one as small as 17%—can lead to significant legal battles over governance and legacy. The outcome will determine if the Buss family maintains a symbolic presence in the organization or transitions fully to a corporate or external ownership model.
