Jeanie Buss stated that her father, Jerry Buss, would have supported the family’s choice to sell the Lakers. She highlighted that maintaining the team’s success in the NBA requires proper resources and teamwork, which were important to him as a legacy.
“What was important to him was that the Lakers stay at the top of the NBA, and to stay at the top of the NBA, you need to have the resources,” she said. “You need to have everybody pulling together. And he would want (that for) the Lakers, because the Lakers are his legacy.”
While an NBA team’s spending is limited by the salary cap, it is a soft cap. Thus, a wealthy owner willing to pay luxury taxes can offer a competitive advantage. Such an owner may also be more eager to invest in the team’s overall structure and staff beyond the players on the court.
Walter’s wealth was significantly higher than that of the Buss family, which played a role in their decision to sell to the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who previously held a 27% stake in the Lakers.
“It’s about the Lakers and the greatness and what the fans expect, and you need resources and you need a direction,” she explained. “I think it’s fair to say that my family — we all have our different opinions and (are) living our lives, choosing what we want to do with our time, and this was the best decision for all six of us.”
According to Sherman and Golden, as part of the sale, the Buss family kept a 15% stake in the team, allowing Jeanie to continue her role as governor. The team confirmed that she would maintain that position for five more years, though she did not clearly state if she plans to serve the entire term.
“That’s what I agreed to,” Buss said. “Mark Walter and I are very comfortable with the way things are set up. And I expect things to go on and be successful. And you know, I’m not going anywhere.”
Buss also mentioned the Lakers’ plans to build around Luka Doncic in the upcoming summer. This does not imply that LeBron James will leave the team this offseason, but she indicated that James has not expressed his intention to play in Los Angeles beyond the 2025-26 season.
“Never say never, but you know, he certainly hasn’t given an indication,” she said. “He’s earned the right to decide how his career will go, and you know, he continues to impress.”