The future of the Los Angeles Lakers seems to be moving forward without the Buss family, regardless of what current governor Jeanie Buss may say.
News of the Buss family’s decision to sell their reported 17.8% stake in the team broke Monday, only for Jeanie Buss’ attorneys to dispute that her five siblings have the ability to sell without her approval.
The other Busses weigh in
In a statement shared to social media by Dan Woike of The Athletic, the five other siblings — Johnny, Jimmy, Janie, Joey and Jesse — said “the Los Angeles Lakers have never been just a basketball team. They have been one of the greatest privileges of our lives.”
“Our focus has always been on what we believe is best for the Lakers, the fans who have supported this franchise for generations and the greater Los Angeles community.
“Johnny, Jimmy, Janie, Joey and Jesse have made the decision to sell the family’s remaining stake, and we remain united in that decision. We intend to move forward thoughtfully, respectfully and through the appropriate process.
“We have tremendous respect for Bob Iger and Josh Kushner and believe they understand what the Lakers represent to Los Angeles and our incredibly loyal fan base. We are confident they will honor everything this franchise stands for while building upon the foundation our father created.”
As the Busses referenced, former Disney CEO Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, the brother of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, are buying a majority stake in the team from Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter.
That sale, which valued the franchise at a record-breaking $12.5 billion, apparently prompted the other Busses to sell.
“We have decided as a family to sell the remaining Buss Family Trust shares to the Bob Iger group as part of the ongoing transaction,” the family said in a statement when the news was made public. “We love the Lakers, Laker fans and will continue to support Los Angeles; but it is time to use this opportunity to move on and exit gracefully while we still can.”
Jeanie Buss’ attorney Adam Streisand, though, has disputed the other Buss siblings have the power to sell without Jeanie Buss’ approval.
“Any ‘vote’ by any of the Buss siblings (on the sale to Iger and Kushner) would be and is void” from the beginning, Streisand said in a letter to the siblings.
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