The ongoing family dispute over the Los Angeles Lakers intensifies as Jeanie Buss seeks to prevent her siblings from selling their stake in the franchise.
Jeanie Buss has officially filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court to block her five siblings from selling the family's remaining stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. This legal action comes amid a growing family conflict over ownership of the franchise, with Jeanie arguing that the sale does not make financial sense at this time. The petition indicates that she believes the franchise is being undervalued in the proposed sale, which has become a contentious issue among the Buss family members.
The court date for this case is set for November 5, and Jeanie's petition highlights her concerns regarding the actions of her siblings, who voted to sell the family's 17.8% ownership stake in the team. Jeanie contends that such a decision cannot be made without her approval, and she has called for her siblings to be held in contempt for what she describes as 'devious' behavior. This marks the second time she has taken her siblings to court over issues related to the Lakers.
Jeanie Buss has been the team's governor since 2013, following the death of her father, Jerry Buss. To maintain her position as governor, she or the Buss family must retain at least 15% ownership of the franchise, according to NBA rules. The ongoing legal battle could have significant implications for the governance of the team, especially as the Lakers navigate a period of ownership change and potential new leadership under majority owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger.
The dispute has drawn support for Jeanie from other minority owners, who back her efforts to remain as governor. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this legal challenge will affect the Lakers' operations and their pursuit of success on the court. The court's decision in November could set the tone for the franchise's future amidst this internal family conflict.