The five siblings of Jeanie Buss, the long-time owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, submitted a formal opposition on Wednesday, October 7, challenging her effort to prevent them from selling their shares of the team, as reported by ESPN. These siblings are seeking to sell their stakes to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, who have agreed to purchase the Lakers from Mark Walter for $12.5 billion.
According to a statement shared by ESPN’s Shams Charania on X, the siblings—Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey, and Jesse Buss—who represent five of the six siblings voting to sell the Trust’s shares, criticized Jeanie Buss’s petition as lacking any legal or factual merit. They emphasized that while family discussions are ongoing, their priority is to advance the proposed sale and ensure fair treatment to all beneficiaries, including Jeanie. This filing is intended to safeguard those interests and keep the transaction on track.
Jeanie Buss requires her siblings to maintain ownership of at least 15% of the team in order to preserve her position as governor and controlling owner. Kushner and Iger reached their purchase agreement in mid-August. USA TODAY Sports has not yet obtained the court documents related to this filing.
Fan Take:
This legal dispute is crucial because it could reshape the leadership and future direction of one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. Basketball fans should closely watch how this ownership battle unfolds, as it might impact team management, player acquisitions, and the overall legacy of the Lakers in the years to come.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
