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Jeanie Buss Challenges Siblings’ Reported Sale of Lakers Stake

Her lawyer says a 2017 court order and trust rules block the transfer, putting her governor role at risk as the NBA prepares to review the ownership change next month.

Overview

  • Multiple outlets reported on Monday that five of six Buss siblings voted to sell the family trust’s 17.8% Lakers stake to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner to join their $12.5 billion purchase of majority control.
  • Jeanie Buss’s lawyer responded hours later with a letter saying the JAB Trust and a 2017 Los Angeles County court order prevent any sale without approval by the co‑trustees Jeanie, Janie and Joey Buss.
  • The five siblings — Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse — issued a separate statement reaffirming they intend to proceed through the proper process to sell their shares.
  • If the trust stake is transferred, Iger and Kushner would own roughly 83% of the franchise and Jeanie Buss would fall below the NBA’s 15% ownership threshold required to serve as team governor.
  • The transaction still needs NBA Board of Governors approval at the Sept. 15–16 meeting and could face court scrutiny over trust duties and the 2017 order before it can close.