The sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter has taken many by surprise, signifying not just a financial transaction but also a monumental shift in the team’s legacy, which has long been associated with the Buss family. Jeanie Buss will continue as team Governor for the next five years, but this new era begins with the dismissal of her younger siblings, Joey and Jesse, from their positions within the franchise.
The family dynamics have been fraught with tension for years, exemplified by Jeanie’s decision in 2017 to fire her brother, Jim Buss, from his role as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. Jeanie has developed a close-knit circle that prominently features trusted associates like Kurt and Linda Rambis, suggesting a move towards greater control over the team’s direction.
Valued at an astonishing $10 billion, the sale represents a substantial financial windfall for all Buss siblings. However, it has also raised questions about the allocation of bonuses associated with the sale, particularly concerning Jeanie’s inner circle. Reports from ESPN’s Baxter Holmes indicated that select members of this circle, including the Rambises and the team’s president of business operations, could receive significant financial incentives, with Linda Rambis set to gain $24 million, matching the payouts for other executives. Kurt Rambis’s projected bonus amounts to $8 million, culminating in a total of $114 million in bonuses—which intriguingly reflects the jersey numbers worn by Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
These revelations of undisclosed bonuses for Jeanie’s inner circle have led to speculation regarding the transparency of the sale process. It appears that Jeanie may have conducted negotiations privately with Walter, excluding her siblings from vital discussions, a move likely to escalate tensions within the family.
Despite the completion of the sale, the unfolding drama raises numerous questions about internal family dynamics moving forward. Adding to the intrigue, it has been reported that Jeanie Buss had contemplated trading superstar LeBron James as early as 2022, indicating her discontent not only with family matters but also with the current roster.
The ongoing saga of the Lakers captures the attention of basketball fans and highlights the complexities of family-run sports franchises. Although the sale may signal a new chapter for the team, it also illuminates the underlying challenges that could shape the franchise’s future.