Lakers ownership dispute pits Jeanie Buss against siblings as sale to Iger and Kushner proceeds

The Los Angeles Lakers' ownership transition to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, valued at $12.5 billion, is expected to continue without interruption, even as a legal battle unfolds within the Buss family. Five of Jeanie Buss's siblings, acting as co-trustees of the Buss Family Trust, voted to sell the family’s shares, prompting Jeanie’s attorney to issue a letter challenging the validity of that vote.

The siblings have issued a joint statement confirming their intention to proceed with the sale, while Jeanie Buss argues that a 2017 Los Angeles Superior Court order requires her consent for any share transfer. The order, which was previously used to keep her in the governor role, states that co-trustees must act to ensure she remains the controlling owner during her lifetime.

League and team sources said the internal dispute is unlikely to affect the transaction with Iger and Kushner, and that the agreement signed with former owner Mark Walter includes a provision for Jeanie Buss to serve as governor for the next four years. A source close to the league noted that this provision is now considered part of the deal with the incoming owners.

"That trumps everything," one league source said.

Bob Iger has publicly expressed support for maintaining the existing governance arrangement, though he indicated that any change would be addressed if circumstances required it. Jeanie Buss has indicated she is not planning to sell her own shares before her term ends and may explore options to retain at least the 15 percent stake required for the governor position.

The dispute could ultimately be resolved in court, and its outcome will determine whether Jeanie Buss remains the Lakers' most powerful executive or steps aside as her siblings move forward with the sale.