Jeanie Buss Fights Siblings Over $12.5 Billion Lakers Stake Sale

For decades, the Buss family has been synonymous with the Los Angeles Lakers. Their control over the team dates back to 1979, when Jerry Buss bought the franchise and helped turn it into one of the NBA's most successful brands.

After Jerry Buss died in 2013, his children inherited the family's stake. Jeanie Buss became the public face and controlling governor, while her siblings held shares and voting rights. Internal disagreements over the Lakers' direction have simmered for years, but the latest dispute centers on whether to cash out the family's remaining 17.8% stake.

On August 17, 2026, multiple outlets including CBS Sports and Time.news reported that the Buss family had agreed to sell their 17.8% share of the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner for $12.5 billion. This transaction was described as marking the end of the Buss era in Lakers ownership.

However, the same day, NBC News and CNBC published stories quoting Jeanie Buss's lawyer, who stated she had not agreed to the sale. Jeanie Buss officially opposed the transaction, sending legal notices to her siblings' attorneys. ESPN and Forbes confirmed that five of the six Buss siblings had voted in favor, but Jeanie was contesting the decision.

The public feud quickly escalated. The New York Post and Time.news highlighted the family's divisions, while CNN and Al Jazeera noted that Jeanie Buss was actively working to block the sale. BBC reported that Jeanie was asserting her authority as controlling owner to prevent the deal, citing a need for trustee approval according to Time.news.

As news spread, the $12.5 billion deal was described by outlets like elEconomista as the largest in sports history, but now faced legal and family obstacles. By August 18, Sky Sports and L'Équipe focused on the family's long-standing internal strife, suggesting the dispute could have lasting effects on the team's future.

As of August 21, 2026, the Buss family remains publicly divided. Five siblings support the sale to Iger and Kushner, while Jeanie Buss is contesting it and refusing to sign off. Legal wrangling continues, with Jeanie's side referencing a court ruling that may require trustee approval for any sale.

The NBA Board of Governors has yet to approve the transaction, and it remains unclear if or when the deal will close. The Lakers' ownership structure is now in limbo, with the team's future direction hanging on the outcome of this high-profile family dispute.

The key questions are whether Jeanie Buss can legally block the sale, and if the NBA will approve the deal with the family divided. Any court rulings or league decisions in the coming weeks will determine whether the Buss era truly ends or continues in a new form.