Jeanie Buss has made it clear that her fight to retain the Buss family’s remaining ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers is not based only on sentiment.
In a petition filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Buss argued that retaining the family trust’s 17.8% interest would be the wiser financial decision because the franchise could continue increasing in value. She also cited the positions taken by other Lakers minority investors.
“Indeed, other owners of stakes in the Lakers have expressed their support for Jeanie remaining Controlling Owner, and have voiced their intent to hold, not sell, their stakes in the Lakers,” the petition said, according to reporting from The Athletic.
Jeanie Buss explains her preference not to sell, in part, by noting that other Lakers minority owners have deemed it unwise based on value.
“Indeed, other owners of stakes in the Lakers have expressed their support for Jeanie remaining Controlling Owner, and have voiced their…
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) August 26, 2026
The filing offers a clearer explanation for why Buss is attempting to block her siblings from selling the family’s remaining shares to the group led by Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.
More Than Family Sentiment
Buss has an obvious emotional attachment to the franchise her father, Jerry Buss, purchased in 1979. She has spent most of her adult life working for the organization and has served as its controlling owner since 2017.
Her argument, however, extends beyond preserving the Buss family’s connection to the Lakers.
The proposed $12.5 billion valuation is already an extraordinary increase over the $67.5 million Jerry Buss paid for the Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, the Forum and additional properties. Jeanie Buss’ petition suggests she believes the team’s value could climb even higher, making an immediate sale potentially shortsighted.
Patrick Soon-Shiong, who owns approximately 4% of the Lakers, recently indicated through his attorney that he has no intention of selling his interest. Buss included the broader support from minority investors to strengthen her claim that holding Lakers shares remains financially appealing.
Control Is Also at Stake
The sale would effectively end Buss’ tenure as the Lakers’ governor because NBA guidelines require a controlling owner to hold at least 15% of a franchise.
That makes the dispute about far more than cashing out an investment. Selling the family trust’s entire stake would remove the Buss family from an organization it has guided for nearly five decades while stripping Jeanie Buss of her authority inside the franchise.
Once the transaction is completed, Jeanie Buss will no longer have the required ownership percentage to remain governor. NBA guidelines require controlling owners/governors to own at least 15% of a franchise. https://t.co/e9jLvTvEp7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 17, 2026
Her five siblings reportedly approved the sale of the trust’s remaining interest. Buss is challenging whether they followed the trust’s governing requirements and has asked the court to prevent the transaction from moving forward.
Whether she can ultimately stop the sale remains uncertain. The dispute could depend on trust language, prior court agreements and the authority held by the family’s co-trustees.
What is no longer uncertain is why Buss wants to stay. She believes keeping the Lakers honors her father’s legacy, preserves her position and gives the family an asset that could become even more valuable.
For Buss, selling now would not simply close a historic chapter. It could mean surrendering an opportunity that can never be recovered.