Retracing the Buss family feud over Lakers ownership succession

As Mark Walter prepares to take majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers at a $10 billion valuation, I recently recounted how Jerry Buss – late patriarch of the outgoing regime – initially landed the team. In one of most complicated sports transactions of all-time, Buss ostensibly traded New York’s iconic Chrysler Building for the Lakers, and the sheer audacity still fries my brain.

I ended that piece by recalling how Buss won 10 NBA titles as Lakers owner before his death in 2013. I also mentioned a further title in 2020, under the aegis of Jeanie Buss, Jerry’s daughter, who inherited control when he passed. There is much more to that contentious transition than meets the eye, though, and this feels like a pertinent time to revisit the scandal.

According to most retellings, Jerry Buss had six children: Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, Janie, Joey and Jesse. However, a seventh child – Lee Klose, Jerry’s first-born daughter, given up for adoption – was identified in 2022. (1) Though far from close-knit, the Lakers were a family business, and Jerry took pride in that homegrown narrative – or at least in its fantasy. As such, Jim joined the Lakers’ front office in 1998; Jeanie overtook business operations a year later; and Johnny oversaw strategic development. (2)

With advancing age and deteriorating health, Jerry became increasingly focused on a workable succession plan. Jim’s influence on basketball operations grew steadily, from an apprenticeship under Jerry West in the late-1990s to the vice presidency of player personnel by 2005. Working with longtime GM Mitch Kupchak, Jim morphed into the definitive basketball decision-maker, with Jeanie heading business operations in a clean division of power. (3)

In theory, the model seemed logical. Jeanie possessed an innate understanding of the Lakers’ brand – an instinctive appreciation hewn from an upbringing in The Forum, awash in Hollywood razzamatazz. Jim, meanwhile, had learned at the heels of West and Kupchak, distinguished former players and respected executives. Five NBA titles between 2000 and 2010 suggested a stable Lakers future, and Jerry received little pushback on his transition plan.

In practice, however, such a bifurcation of duties would rely on constant collaboration – a characteristic rarely associated with the Buss kids. Never particularly close, Jim and Jeanie became increasingly distant, to a point of communicating almost exclusively via text message, per ESPN. Johnny, meanwhile, rarely spoke to either sibling, according to Sports Illustrated. Jeanie’s long-term relationship with Phil Jackson, feted head coach of five Laker championship teams, further complicated an explosive power dynamic. (2) (4)

Somewhat predictably, the first major Jim-Jeanie flashpoint involved Jackson, who looked set to return as Lakers head coach in November 2012 after a brief ‘retirement.’ In a rare moment of candid interaction, Jim broached the idea of a Jackson return to Jeanie, who provided Phil’s phone number to enable negotiations. Yet after leading Jackson down the garden path, Jim hired Mike D’Antoni instead – a betrayal in the eyes of Jeanie, who felt forced to choose between the Lakers and her fiancé, who took a job with the New York Knicks before the 2016 termination of their engagement. (4) 

Jim contended that the decision to hire D’Antoni was taken by his father, who was presented with relevant intelligence from assorted interviews. (5) By that point, however, the 79-year-old Jerry Buss was increasingly infirm. Indeed, within three months of D’Antoni’s arrival, and shortly after turning 80, Jerry was hospitalised to receive intensive cancer care. (6)

During his final days, Jerry added a plot twist by summoning Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson – the Lakers legend he loved like a son – to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. According to Johnson, during that emotional visit, Jerry reiterated his vision for the Lakers’ future – with Magic helping Jeanie run the team. (7) 

Nevertheless, when Buss passed away on 18 February 2013, his 66% controlling stake in the Lakers was split evenly between the six known children via a trust. (8) Overnight, each of the Buss kids received an 11% slice of an illustrious franchise then valued at $1 billion. (9) All major decisions pertaining to the Lakers would require consensus among the three trustees: Jeanie, the lead governor; Jim, the head of basketball operations; and Johnny, responsible for strategic development. (10)

On the court, meanwhile, away from the Game of Thrones sideshow, the Lakers went into the tank, as calls for change grew louder. Following a dismal 27-55 season in 2013-14, Jim told the family he would stand down if the Lakers were not a serious contender within ‘three to four years.’ (11) Instead, things got worse. As worse as they had ever been, in fact, with a 61-loss campaign followed by a 65-loss dénouement – the worst season in franchise history – in 2015-16.

Kobe Bryant, talisman of the last Lakers dynasty, retired in 2016, having last played a playoff game in 2012. Another dreary 56-loss season followed, as a string of head coaches – D’Antoni, Byron Scott, Luke Walton – failed to revitalise a floundering team devoid of identity.

Seemingly aloof, myopic or stubborn, the basketball operation spearheaded by Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak became increasingly isolated, toiling in an impenetrable silo impervious to external opinion. Accustomed to metronomic success, Jim and Mitch dug in and stuck to their win-now ways, even as the franchise yearned for a hard philosophical reset. 

As a new, analytically-driven ethos captured the NBA, characterised by the dynastic Golden State Warriors and the three-point wizardry of Steph Curry, the Lakers were reticent to change. They fell behind in basketball’s expedited modernisation, and Jeanie grew increasingly frustrated with uninspiring decisions taken unilaterally by the front office. For the first time, stars soured on the prospect of becoming Lakers, and Jeanie considered that an existential threat to the hallowed brand.

Attempting to resuscitate that brand, and sprinkle a little Showtime stardust into a dreary milieu, on 2 February 2017, Jeanie hired Magic Johnson as an advisor. (12) The pair had enjoyed a close relationship for decades, stretching back to 1979, when Magic was drafted by the Lakers mere weeks after Jerry took control of the team. Magic famously signed a 25-year, $25 million contract in 1981, all but joining the family, and a particular kinship with Jeanie developed over time. (13)

All those years later, then, Magic’s return resembled an entrenchment of distinct, opposed camps within the Lakers’ nerve centre. An overt Jeanie ally, Johnson had regularly criticised Jim in public, often via social media, even saying he was ‘mourning’ after the Lakers hired D’Antoni over Jackson. That kind of emphatic declaration suggested Magic would lobby for serious change to the team’s hierarchy, and industry whispers said he intended to hire a new GM. (14) 

Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak saw the writing on the wall, and in a last-ditch attempt to save their jobs – to reassure Jeanie and Magic of their ability to reel in big fish – they tried to trade for Sacramento star DeMarcus Cousins. Those attempts failed, however, and instead of impressing the divided front office, the clandestine negotiations – which circumvented Magic – convinced Jeanie that revolution was needed. (15)

Jeanie thrived in glitz and glamour, entertaining celebrities from her courtside seats, boosting the Lakers’ brand by exclusive association. However, when the team wearing purple and gold on the court lost with unprecedented regularity, she felt humiliated, as if left out to dry by a basketball brain trust reading from a different page. Finally, she snapped, firing her brother, along with Kupchak, on 21 February 2017. Magic was promoted to president of basketball operations simultaneously, with Rob Pelinka, Kobe’s former agent, tabbed as an incoming GM.

“This was a very difficult decision,” Jeanie told Spectrum Sportsnet. “It was probably so hard for me to make that I probably waited too long. And for that, I apologise to Lakers fans. But now, with clarity and direction, and talking to Earvin, really knowing a change was needed – that’s why we’re here today.” (16)

“The status quo wasn’t acceptable,” she added for the Associated Press. “It wasn’t Lakers basketball. It wasn’t what this organisation stands for.” (17) 

In fairness, Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak were party to a whole lot of Laker winning. Jim had been around five championship teams, while Kupchak contributed to seven titles as an executive and two as a player. ‘Around’ and ‘contributed to’ are fittingly ambiguous, though, because quantifying their influence on those triumphs was notoriously difficult. There always seemed to be larger forces hauling the Lakers to victory, from Father Jerry to West, Kareem, Magic, Kobe, Shaq and Jackson. Some said the Lakers won despite Jim and Mitch. And while that may be harsh, they were never the headline agents of Laker exceptionalism.

Regardless, behind the scenes, rifts continued to deepen following Jim’s ouster, as Johnny Buss sided with his jilted brother to undermine Jeanie – and perhaps usurp her entirely. On 24 February 2017, Johnny called a meeting of the Buss family trust for 7 March, where the election of a new Lakers board would be discussed. Johnny proposed replacing Jeanie and Joey Buss with Dan Beckerman and Romie Chaudhari as directors. Laker corporate bylaws said the controlling owner must be elected from the board of directors, so removing Jeanie from said board would technically void her overarching authority. (18) 

A slew of emails and phone calls failed to resolve the matter, which – optically – resembled two older brothers attempting to sideline their younger sister in a messy battle for ownership. Suspecting a coup, Jeanie filed a lawsuit forcing Jim and Johnny to comply with the terms of the family trust, outlined by Jerry in his succession plan – namely, that Jeanie remain a director to fulfil her role as principal owner and team governor. Jeanie also requested a temporary restraining order against her brothers in the Los Angeles Superior Court. (19) (20)

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for 15 May 2017, but in early March, Jim and Johnny backed down and signed a unanimous consent document reaffirming Jeanie as the Lakers’ controlling owner. Jim and Johnny hinted at a misunderstanding of their intentions but deigned to explain why Jeanie’s name was not included in the proposed board meeting. Jim and Johnny resigned as trustees, replaced by Janie and Joey, who re-elected Jeanie as the Lakers’ controlling owner ‘for life.’ All six siblings retained their ownership stakes, but only Jeanie and Joey (vice president of research and development) maintained frontline positions with the Lakers. (21) (22)

A month after stepping aside, Johnny Buss told the Los Angeles Times he was motivated by a potential sale of his shares. In the scandal’s aftermath, he distanced himself from sports – and his siblings. “After all of this, not only have I resigned from the Lakers,” he said. “I’ve resigned from being a member of the Buss family.” (22)

Her autonomy freshly consolidated, Jeanie empowered Johnson and Pelinka to enact a roadmap leading the Lakers back to contention, coinciding – and culminating – with the 2018 free agency of LeBron James, earmarked as the next transformational star in the team’s sacred lineage.

Over the salary cap when Johnson took charge, the new front office worked to enhance financial flexibility in time to seriously pursue James. A 56-loss season rounded out 2017, followed by a 47-loss campaign. Then, on 9 July 2018, the Lakers landed LeBron, who signed a four-year, $153.5 million contract after heavy recruitment by Johnson. (23)

The rejuvenated Lakers did not dominate right away, however. In 2018-19, James’ first year, they missed the playoffs, and Johnson resigned to focus on his ambassadorial duties with the NBA and part-ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Frank Vogel replaced Walton as head coach for 2019-20, and the Lakers improved by 15 wins en route to the eighteenth championship in franchise history.

“We’re a group that works together, respects one another, believes in each other, and everybody does the work,” a vindicated Jeanie said after the Covid-besmirched title. “That’s really been our mantra since trying to put the team back on this winning path: it’s going to take time, and we have to do the work. And that’s what we did. The results speak for that work.” (24)

In 2024, Johnny Buss resurfaced by – well – running for president. An independent candidate, Johnny launched a campaign website that stated his commitment to ‘restoring America’s standing on the international stage.’ Snarky critics said he could not even restore the Lakers’ standing on the international stage, but they need not have wasted their energy, because Johnny Buss failed to attain ballot access in a single state. (25) (26)

Nevertheless, Johnny will soon be very rich – if he wasn’t already. Mark Walter will soon be ratified as the Lakers’ new majority stakeholder, with Jeanie set to remain as team governor for the ‘foreseeable future.’ (27) The Buss family will reportedly retain a 15% stake in the Lakers, down from 66%, while each Child of Jerry will approach billionaire status – Lee aside. (28)

A majority vote among the Buss kids was required to approve the sale. Not all agreed, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, suggesting at least one, but possibly two, rejected the proposal. (29) It doesn’t take much imagination to decipher who.

Sources

1. Kahn, Carol. Sedona Red Rock News. [Online] November 5, 2022. https://www.redrocknews.com/2022/11/05/klose-finds-birth-family-after-decades/.

2. Lidz, Franz. Sports Illustrated. [Online] November 2, 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/20230429185221/https://vault.si.com/vault/1998/11/02/shes-got-balls-will-jeanie-buss-daughter-of-lakers-owner-jerry-buss-be-the-next-to-rule-her-fathers-sports-kingdom-or-will-one-of-her-brothers-rise-to-power-a-fractured-famil.

3. Shelburne, Ramona. ESPN. [Online] September 10, 2013. https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9660465/jim-buss-comes-los-angeles-lakers.

4. —. ESPN. [Online] March 8, 2017. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18840779/the-story-los-angeles-lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-tough-decision.

5. ESPN. [Online] September 23, 2013. https://www.espn.co.uk/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9711874/jeanie-buss-book-mike-dantoni-hire-los-angeles-lakers-betrayal.

6. ESPN. [Online] February 14, 2013. https://www.espn.co.uk/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8949536/jerry-buss-los-angeles-lakers-owner-hospitalized.

7. Feldman, Dan. NBC Sports. [Online] March 10, 2017. https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/magic-johnson-jerry-buss-wanted-jeanie-buss-and-me-to-run-lakers.

8. Thiry, Lindsey. Los Angeles Times. [Online] March 3, 2017. https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-buss-kids-20170303-story.html.

9. Forbes. [Online] January 23, 2013. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2013/01/23/forbes-releases-2013-nba-team-valuations/.

10. Medina, Mark. Los Angeles Daily News. [Online] August 28, 2017. https://www.dailynews.com/2017/03/03/buss-family-battle-for-control-of-lakers-reaches-the-court/.

11. Moore, Matt. CBS Sports. [Online] April 20, 2014. https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-jim-buss-ill-quit-if-club-doesnt-contend-in-3-or-4-years/.

12. Ganguli, Tania. Los Angeles Times. [Online] February 2, 2017. https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-magic-johnson-20170202-story.html.

13. Pearlman, Jeff. Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. 2014.

14. Winfield, Kristian. SB Nation. [Online] February 21, 2017. https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2017/2/21/14689104/magic-johnson-jim-buss-history-la-lakers.

15. Feldman, Dan. NBC Sports. [Online] February 21, 2017. https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/report-jim-buss-and-mitch-kupchak-tried-to-save-their-jobs-by-trading-for-demarcus-cousins.

16. Mutoni, Marcel. Slam. [Online] February 22, 2017. https://www.slamonline.com/archives/jeanie-buss-apologizes-taking-long-fire-jim-buss/.

17. Beacham, Greg. Associated Press. [Online] February 23, 2017. https://archive.org/details/strib-2-3-2017/strib%202-23-2017/page/n21/mode/2up?q=%22jeanie+buss%22+++%22jim+buss%22.

18. ESPN. [Online] March 8, 2017. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18854663/janie-buss-says-brothers-jim-johnny-trying-bust-family-trust-sell-shares-lakers.

19. Shelburne, Ramona. ESPN. [Online] March 3, 2017. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18816027/los-angeles-lakers-jeanie-buss-thwarts-coup-attempt-brothers-johnny-buss-jim-buss.

20. Fenno, Nathan. Los Angeles Times. [Online] July 3, 2018. https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-lakers-buss-family-20180703-story.html.

21. Shelburne, Ramona. ESPN. [Online] March 27, 2017. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19016143/jeanie-buss-los-angeles-lakers-replaces-brother-sister-trustee.

22. Ganguli, Tania. Los Angeles Times. [Online] June 18, 2017. https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-johnny-buss-20170618-story.html.

23. Gundersen, Erik García. USA Today. [Online] January 29, 2019. https://lebronwire-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/lebron/2019/01/29/magic-johnson-says-he-needed-to-bring-lebron-in-to-trade-good-players-cap-space/76802082007/.

24. Francuz, James. FanSided. [Online] November 4, 2020. https://lakeshowlife.com/2020/11/04/los-angeles-lakers-jeanie-buss-praise-front-office/.

25. Rude, Jacob. Silver Screen and Roll. [Online] March 14, 2024. https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2024/3/14/24101369/lakers-johnny-buss-president-campaign-jeanie-buss-owner.

26. Wikipedia. [Online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-party_and_independent_candidates_for_the_2024_United_States_presidential_election.

27. Woike, Dan. The Athletic. [Online] June 25, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6450811/2025/06/25/lakers-sale-jeanie-buss/.

28. Toporek, Bryan. Yahoo! Sports. [Online] June 21, 2025. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/mark-walter-billions-could-help-194009650.html.

29. Rude, Jacob. Silver Screen and Roll. [Online] June 18, 2025. https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2025/6/18/24452001/lakers-buss-family-sell-mark-walter-family-siblings-jeanie-jim.