The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most prestigious franchises in the history of the NBA. The Hollywood spotlight has always been on this team — through its ups and downs.
One of the most intriguing narratives of recent time is the unprecedented turn of events that led to Jeanie Buss taking over the franchise. While she has long been associated with the franchise — even as a child her father, Dr. Jim Buss, had already exposed her and integrated her into the business — it wasn't until 2017 that Jeanie actually took over. It wasn't without a full-blown power struggle fit only for a Hollywood script, though, and in hindsight, it makes for a pretty awesome story to tell.
Early Years
Jeanie Marie Buss was born on September 26, 1961 in Santa Monica, California to Joan and Jerry Buss, a chemist and a wealthy businessman. She was the third of four children. Jeanie graduated with honors from the University of Southern California (USC), where she majored in business.
At just 19 years of age, Jeanie took on her first major role in her father's empire. Dr. Buss appointed her as the general manager of TeamTennis, a professional tennis team that played in the World Team Tennis league. Following this stint, Jeanie bought the roller hockey team, the Los Angeles Blades, and was named as the Executive of the Year in the Roller Hockey International league.
The Rise
In 1979, Dr. Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers. Along with the Los Angeles Kings hockey team, and The Forum, Buss shelled out a grand total of $67.5 million. That sounds like an absolute bargain for all three properties considering how Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer purchased The Forum (by itself) for a whopping $400 million in 2020. Buss tenure as the owner of the Lakers produced one of the most successful spells in franchise history, and throughout, he was already grooming Jeanie to be his heir apparent.
During her mid-30s, Buss was appointed as the president of The Forum, and it was at this time when her role with the Lakers gradually increased. By 1995, Buss was appointed as an Alternate Governor on the NBA Board of Governors. Four years later, Jeanie was promoted as the Lakers' executive vice president of business operations at the age of 38.
In 2013, it was revealed that Dr. Buss was battling an undisclosed form of cancer for well over a year at that point. He passed away on February 18, 2013 at the age of 80. Upon his death, Dr. Buss passed on his 66% controlling ownership of the franchise equally to his six children. Eventually, Jeanie grew weary of how his brother Jim, who was then serving as the executive vice president of basketball operations, failed to include her on the decision process when it came to the basketball side of the team. This was where the tension began to grow.
The Takeover
In February 2017, Buss brought on Lakers legend and long-time friend Magic Johnson as a special advisor to the team. Jeanie later found out that his brother Jim and then-team general manager Mitch Kupchak refused to properly integrate Magic to the front office operations. Jim and Kupchak reportedly held player tryouts and fielded trade inquiries — among other things — while intentionally leaving out Johnson throughout the process. This did not sit well with Jeanie, and in a drastic and highly controversial move, she fired his brother, Kupchak, and then-communications director John Black. For some, this was something that was a long time coming, as it officially marked the start of the Jeanie Buss era in L.A.
Jeanie immediately promoted Johnson as the team's new president of basketball operations, taking over the recently vacated post of brother Jim. Not too long after, Buss hired Rob Pelinka, who was the former sports agent of Kobe Bryant, as the team's general manager.
Big Moves
Jeanie's shakeup in the front office could not have come at a better time. The Lakers were in the worst stretch of franchise history at that point, missing out on the playoffs for four consecutive seasons. Come the summer of 2018, the Lakers pulled off one of the best moves in franchise history by bringing in the great LeBron James to Hollywood. It was a poor first season in L.A. for LeBron, though, which in some ways led to the departure of Johnson from the team. Instead of finding an able replacement, Buss decided to eliminate the position altogether.
The following year, the Lakers were able to bring in superstar big man Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. This move breathed life to a struggling Lakers franchise. At that time, Buss was in full control of the team for no more than two or three years, but already, there was no denying that she had already made its mark in this franchise's celebrated history.
With Davis, the Lakers won their first NBA title since 2010. Buss also has the team set to stay at Staples Center through 2041.
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