Lakers legends comment on Buss family ownership dispute
Former players expressed disappointment over the potential sale of the Buss family's remaining stake in the Los Angeles Lakers as the franchise prepares for a $12.5 billion transaction involving new investors.
Los Angeles Lakers legends spoke publicly for the first time about the ongoing dispute within the Buss family over the sale of their remaining 17.8% ownership stake. The sale follows Mark Walter’s majority share being sold to investors Josh Kushner and Bob Iger at a valuation of $12.5 billion, prompting the Buss siblings to vote unanimously to exercise a tag-along provision.
Byron Scott, a three-time champion, said he did not think Dr. Jerry Buss would be pleased with the current situation and noted that he never imagined the Lakers would be owned by an outside corporation. "I never thought in my lifetime that I would see anybody, any other organization, company or corporation owning the Los Angeles Lakers," he told reporters.
Seven-time champion Robert Horry described the prospect of the Buss family losing involvement as "sad" and highlighted Jerry Buss’s influence on the NBA, including the Showtime era and the integration of basketball with Hollywood.
Former teammate Michael Cooper declined to take sides but praised Jerry Buss as "the greatest owner in sports that I’ve ever played for" and said he trusts Jeanie Buss to act in the team's best interest.
Former forward Matt Barnes said he supports Jeanie Buss and hopes she remains in a management role under the new ownership, adding that she has worked to preserve her father's vision for the franchise.
The comments were made during the Harold & Carole Pump Foundation’s 26th Anniversary Celebrity Dinner at the Beverly Hilton.