Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss has accused her siblings of a "cloak and dagger" campaign to force the sale of the family's remaining shares in the franchise, according to a court filing submitted this week. The filing, made in Los Angeles Superior Court, names Joey and Jesse Buss as leading efforts to sell the family's 17.8% stake, which sits just above the NBA's 15% minimum required for the family to retain control of the team.
Court Filing Details
In the filing, Jeanie Buss's representatives argue that the conflicts following the 2013 death of her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, were inevitable after he chose his daughter over his four sons as successor. The document alleges that the siblings' "obsession with tearing down Jeanie" has driven them to conduct backroom votes and share resolutions with media outlets rather than with their co-trustee and sister. Buss is asking a judge to block the sale and has requested a hearing scheduled for December 8.
Ownership Stake and Valuation
The family's 17.8% stake is part of a broader ownership group led by former Disney CEO Bob Iger and investor Josh Kushner, which is reportedly seeking to purchase the Lakers from current controlling owner Mark Walter at a valuation of $12.5 billion. If the family sells its entire stake, each sibling would receive an additional $371 million through go-along rights. Iger has previously indicated the plan was for Buss to remain governor, though he acknowledged that could change.
History of Dispute
The current legal battle is the latest chapter in a long-running feud. A 2017 court order prevents any vote to sell the remaining family shares without Jeanie Buss's consent. That same year, after she fired Jim Buss as head of basketball operations, Jim and Johnny Buss attempted to remove her from the Lakers' board of directors. The parties eventually settled with Jeanie Buss retaining control.
Current Legal Requests
In the new filing, Jeanie Buss seeks to remove two siblings as co-trustees of the family trust for breach of fiduciary duty, hold them in contempt of court, and find Jim, Johnny, and Jesse Buss liable for aiding and abetting a violation of the 2017 court order. She also requests reimbursement for legal costs. The filing describes the siblings' actions as a "false flag operation" intended to force her hand and smear her in the media.
Settlement Talks
Settlement talks have begun between the parties. Jeanie Buss's legal team states she had no choice but to seek court intervention to enforce the trust terms and the 2017 order.
