Los Angeles Lakers Ownership Dispute Escalates with New Court Filing
Jeanie Buss accused her brothers Joey and Jesse of conspiring against her in a court filing, citing jealousy over their father's decision to grant her governorship rights.
A bitter dispute over control of the Los Angeles Lakers has taken a dramatic turn as team owner Jeanie Buss accused her siblings of conspiring against her in a court filing.
Buss's allegations suggest that her brothers Joey and Jesse are motivated by jealousy towards their sister after their father, Jerry Buss, chose to grant her governorship rights over them. This move is seen as the catalyst for the ongoing feud between Jeanie and her siblings.
The dispute has become increasingly heated, with both sides positioning themselves for a crucial hearing scheduled for December 8 in Los Angeles Superior Court. The outcome of this hearing will have significant implications for the Lakers' ownership structure.
A potential buyer for the team is also waiting in the wings, as an ownership group led by former Disney CEO Bob Iger and Josh Kushner prepares to make a bid at a valuation of $12.5 billion. This development has added another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation.
The Buss family's succession dynamics are at the center of Jeanie's allegations, with her representation stating that her brothers' actions are driven by an inability to accept her role in the team's future.
The dispute over control of the Los Angeles Lakers continues to escalate as Jeanie Buss's family dynamics come under scrutiny.
A key factor in this ongoing saga is the potential sale of the Buss family's 17.8% ownership stake in the team. If sold, it would likely trigger a change in leadership, with Jeanie no longer serving as governor. According to previous statements, the plan was for her to remain in the role, but that could be altered if circumstances change.
The latest court filing is part of an ongoing battle between family members over control of the team. Earlier this year, it emerged that Jeanie Buss believes a 2017 court order prohibits any vote to sell the remaining family shares without her consent.
This is not the first time the Buss siblings have clashed over control of the Lakers. In 2017, tensions ran high when Jeanie fired Jim as head of basketball operations, prompting him and Johnny to attempt to strip her of her seat on the board of directors.
The two sides eventually reached a settlement, with Jeanie remaining in control of the team. However, the current dispute has taken a more serious turn, with Jeanie now seeking to remove her siblings from their roles as co-trustees for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.
The ongoing dispute within the Buss family over control of the Los Angeles Lakers has taken a dramatic turn as settlement talks have reportedly begun.
According to documents filed on Wednesday, Jeanie Buss claims that her siblings are conspiring against her by attempting to force her hand in the dispute through "cloak and dagger" tactics. This includes sharing confidential information with ESPN about their alleged votes and resolutions without informing their co-trustee and sister.
The filing also accuses them of trying to smear Jeanie's reputation in the media, suggesting that their actions are an attempt to deflect attention from their own alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.
Facts based on reporting originally published by CBS Sports.
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