started · updated
Jeanie Buss siblings file legal opposition to Lakers stake sale
The ownership dispute over the Los Angeles Lakers has escalated in Los Angeles Superior Court. Five siblings of Jeanie Buss—Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey, and Jesse—have filed a formal legal opposition to Jeanie’s attempt to block the sale of the Buss Family Trust’s 17.82 percent stake in the franchise.
The siblings are pushing to include the trust's interest in a proposed $12.5 billion sale of the team to an ownership group led by Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger. The siblings characterized Jeanie’s legal petition as ‘legally and factually baseless’ and stated their goal is to facilitate the transaction while ensuring all beneficiaries are treated equally.
Jeanie Buss, the team’s governor, argues that the sale would violate the family trust, which she claims requires her to remain in control. Under NBA rules, a team governor must maintain at least a 15 percent ownership stake. Jeanie previously reached a side agreement with former controlling owner Mark Walter to secure her position as governor for five years and potentially as an alternate governor thereafter, provided she maintains a minimum stake.
The dispute follows Mark Walter’s decision to sell the franchise, which he had acquired from the Buss family in 2025 for $10 billion. The family trust's remaining stake is valued at approximately $2.2 billion under the new proposed valuation.
Entities
Bob Iger · Buss Family Trust · Jeanie Buss · Joshua Kushner · Los Angeles Lakers · Mark Walter
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The proposed sale is to an ownership group headed by Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger. bleacherreport.com · hoopswire.com · time.news · www.latimes.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The five siblings voted to sell the shares held by the Buss Family Trust. lakersdaily.com · heavy.com · bleacherreport.com · time.news · www.latimes.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The trust holds a 17.8 percent share in the Los Angeles Lakers. bleacherreport.com · www.ibtimes.co.uk · www.latimes.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Jeanie Buss argues that the family trust requires her to remain governor of the Lakers. bleacherreport.com · hoopswire.com · lakersdaily.com · www.latimes.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Jeanie Buss petitioned the court to prevent the sale of the family's Lakers interest and to remove Janie and Joey Buss as co-trustees. bleacherreport.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey, and Jesse Buss filed a formal opposition in Los Angeles Superior Court to Jeanie Buss’s petition. lakersdaily.com · heavy.com · bleacherreport.com · www.ibtimes.co.uk · www.latimes.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The proposed Lakers sale is valued at $12.5 billion. time.news · www.ibtimes.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Jeanie Buss had a side agreement with Mark Walter to remain Lakers governor for five years. hoopswire.com · lakersnation.com