Buss family drama continues as siblings release statement reiterating sale against Jeanie Buss' wishes

Buss siblings rally against sister Jeanie with statement confirming intentions to sell stake to Bob Iger, Josh Kushner

The off-course drama is quickly becoming the messiest subplot of the NBA offseason, replete with a years-in-the-making sibling rivalries, petty backstabbing and enough legal maneuvering for someone to make a killing off billable hours.

The inciting incident of the saga came nearly a decade ago when Jeanie, the Lakers governor since her father's death, removed Jim as president of basketball of operations and fought off a failed coup attempt by him and Johnny, going as far as to request a temporary restraining order against the two in March 2017.

"I want to make sure they don't try to do this again," Jeanie's lawyer said at the time. "We just want the team and the fans to have the stability and success they deserve."

The situation got messier last year when the family sold a majority stake of the franchise to Walter. In November 2025, the three youngest Buss siblings, Janie, Joey and Jesse, were all forced out, leaving Jeanie as the lone remaining Buss family member with an active role in the organization.

"I don't think my dad would be happy with the way things just went down," Janie told ESPN's Baxter Holmes.

After alienating her siblings, Jeanie can't be too surprised they've rallied against her, threatening to strike where they know it would hurt the most. NBA bylaws state a team governor must own at least a 15 percent stake in the franchise, and if the Buss family's sale goes through, Jeanie would need to relinquish her title.

In an ESPN Magazine piece by Ramona Shelburne from March 2017, Jeanie discussed the turmoil and acknowledged that the Lakers were her top priority. 

"[Dad] wanted us all to meet together and build this team together. But when it comes to the Lakers, I'm like a mama bear," she said. "It's not about Jeanie. It's about what's best for the Lakers. That's the baby."

As the Buss family drama spills out beyond the basketball court, there may come a time when their involvement is no longer in the franchise's best interest. But we don't expect Jeanie to go down without a fight.

Stay tuned for the next episode.