By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The long-standing administration of the Los Angeles Lakers by the Buss family has deteriorated into a legal dispute.
Jim, Johnny, Janie, Jesse, and Joey Buss released a statement on Tuesday, declaring their intent to move forward with selling their collective 17.8% share of the franchise despite explicit objections from their sister, team governor Jeanie Buss.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have never been just a basketball team. They have been one of the greatest privileges of our lives,” the statement from the five siblings reads, per ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania. “Our focus has always been on what we believe is best for the Lakers, the fans who have supported this franchise for generations and the greater Los Angeles community.
Johnny, Jimmy, Janie, Joey and Jesse have made the decision to sell the family’s remaining stake, and we remain united in that decision. We intend to move forward thoughtfully, respectfully and through the appropriate process.
We have tremendous respect for Bob Iger and Josh Kushner and believe they understand what the Lakers represent to Los Angeles and our incredibly loyal fan base. We are confident they will honor everything this franchise stands for while building upon the foundation our father created.”
Statement from Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss after attorney of Jeanie Buss made clear she will battle her family members on selling their remaining 17.8% Lakers ownership stake:
The Los Angeles Lakers have never been just a basketball team. They have been one of the…
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 18, 2026
This ongoing internal struggle intensified after Jeanie’s lawyer issued a letter declaring any sale of the family’s stake void, a move that could potentially cost her the position of team governor.
Meanwhile, Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic has initiated communication and plans to confer directly with incoming investors Bob Iger and Josh Kushner following the record-breaking $12.5 billion valuation. His discussions will focus strictly on the organization’s upcoming on-court trajectory.
Beyond the dramatic fallout in Southern California, brothers Joey and Jesse Buss have also expanded their focus to European basketball. The duo recently traveled to Lyon to enter direct ownership negotiations regarding Tony Parker’s EuroLeague club, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.
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