Jeanie Buss

Born in Santa Monica, California, Buss was the third of four children to Joann and Jerry Buss, and one of two daughters; she grew up with older brothers Johnny and Jim and younger sister Janie. Their parents divorced in 1972, leaving Buss feeling emotionally abandoned. At age 14, Buss attended World Team Tennis meetings with her father, who owned the Los Angeles Strings. When she was 17, she moved in with her father at Pickfair. She became so familiar with the estate that she led guided tours. Buss attended college at the University of Southern California (USC), where she majored in business and graduated with honors.

World TeamTennis folded in 1978, and was revived in 1981 as TeamTennis. Jerry once again owned the second incarnation of the Strings, and he appointed the 19-year-old Jeanie as the general manager while she was studying at USC.{{cite news|last=Goudreau |first=Jenna |title=LA Lakers' Jeanie Buss Doesn't Play By The Rules |date=January 24, 2011 |magazine=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2011/01/24/la-lakers-jeanie-buss-doesnt-play-by-the-rules-gayle-king-phil-jackson-boy-toy-playboy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304003349/http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2011/01/24/la-lakers-jeanie-buss-doesnt-play-by-the-rules-gayle-king-phil-jackson-boy-toy-playboy/ |archive-date=March 4, 2013 |url-status=live }} "Basically, my dad bought me the team," said Buss. After the Strings folded in 1993, Buss brought professional roller hockey to Los Angeles as owner of the Los Angeles Blades in Roller Hockey International. The league named her Executive of the Year.{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Lakers 2011–12 Media Guide|page=11|publisher=Los Angeles Lakers|url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/flipbuilderhires/1112mediaguide.html|access-date=February 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206233254/http://www.nba.com/lakers/flipbuilderhires/1112mediaguide.html|archive-date=February 6, 2018|url-status=dead}}

File:WOW - Women Of Wrestling Press Launch October 2021.jpg executive Dan Cohen and Women of Wrestling executive producers AJ Mendez and David McLane in 2021|left]]

Buss is the owner of the WOW-Women Of Wrestling. On October 6, 2021, on top of the Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, ViacomCBS Global Distribution President Dan Cohen announced alongside Buss and her long time business partner David McLane that ViacomCBS had entered into a multi-year distribution agreement for WOW. The distribution for WOW marks the largest media distribution platform for an organization that solely promotes women's wrestling in U.S. history.{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2021 |title=ViacomCBS Inks Multiyear Distribution Deal with WOW — Women of Wrestling |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/viacomcbs-distribution-deal-wow-women-of-wrestling-1235026998/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2021 |title=ViacomCBS Syndicating 'WOW – Women of Wrestling' Reboot in 160 U.S. Markets, Beginning in 2022 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/viacomcbs-syndicating-wow-women-of-wrestling-u-s-1234851344/}}

Buss served four years as president of the Great Western Forum, then the home arena of the Lakers. Throughout her stint with the Forum, her role with the Lakers increased, and she served as the Alternate Governor on the NBA Board of Governors since 1995. In 1999, she was named executive vice president of business operations for the Lakers.{{cite news|last=Hopkins |first=Jim |title=More daughters get keys to family firms |date=January 5, 2003 |newspaper=USA Today |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/2003-01-05-daughters-successors_x.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314000233/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/2003-01-05-daughters-successors_x.htm |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |url-status=live }} Her brother Jim was promoted to vice president of player personnel in 2005.{{cite news|last=Ding |first=Kevin |title=Jim Buss in 2005: 'Eventually, my dad retires' |date=May 26, 2011 |newspaper=Orange County Register |url=http://lakers.ocregister.com/2011/05/26/jim-buss-in-2005-eventually-my-dad-retires/55441/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226080612/http://lakers.ocregister.com/2011/05/26/jim-buss-in-2005-eventually-my-dad-retires/55441/ |archive-date=February 26, 2013 |url-status=live }} Their father's plan was to have Jeanie handle the business decisions of the team, while Jim handled the basketball side of the Lakers.{{cite news|last=Siler|first=Ross|title=Meet The New Buss Jerry's Son, Jim, Is Carving His Own Niche As Heir To Lakers Empire|date=August 24, 2005|newspaper=Daily News|location=Los Angeles|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-135439323.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611021849/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-135439323.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 20, 2013}}{{subscription required}}

Sporting News in 2005 named Buss as one of the Top 20 Most Influential Women in Sports.{{cite news|last=Ireland |first=John |title=All in the Family |date=May 3, 2009 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/la-mag-may032009-goodsport,0,5925924,full.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221125357/http://www.latimes.com/la-mag-may032009-goodsport,0,5925924,full.story |archive-date=December 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }} In 2011, Forbes called Buss "one of few powerful women in sports management", and ESPN said she is "one of the most powerful women in the NBA".{{cite news|last=Shelburne |first=Ramona |title=Jeanie Buss talks about life with Lakers |date=November 2, 2010 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/columns/story?id=5754680 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114030841/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/columns/story?id=5754680 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=live }}

After her father died in 2013, his 66% controlling ownership of the Lakers passed to his six children via a trust, with each child receiving an equal vote.{{cite news|last=Bresnahan |first=Mike |title=Buss family faces crucial moment with the Lakers |date=April 19, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-buss-family-20140420,0,1940758,full.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420111025/http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-buss-family-20140420,0,1940758,full.story |archive-date=April 20, 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|last=Markazi |first=Arash |title=Buss family won't sell Lakers |date=February 18, 2013 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8960441/family-jerry-buss-maintain-los-angeles-lakers-ownership |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219155444/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8960441/family-jerry-buss-maintain-los-angeles-lakers-ownership |archive-date=February 19, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Medina |first=Mark |title=Jerry Buss' family will honor his wishes and keep Lakers |date=February 18, 2013 |newspaper=Daily News |location=Los Angeles |url=http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_22616013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302013656/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_22616013 |archive-date=March 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 22, 2013 }} Jerry's succession plan had Jeanie assume his previous title as the Lakers' governor as well as its team representative at NBA Board of Governors meetings.{{cite news|last=Bresnahan |first=Mike |title=Lakers expected to remain a Buss family-owned team |date=February 19, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-ownership-20130219,0,6689307.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220005530/http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-ownership-20130219,0,6689307.story |archive-date=February 20, 2013 |url-status=live }} She became president of the Lakers, leading the team's business operations, while her brother Jim continued as executive VP of basketball operations.{{cite web |year=2013 |title=Lakers 2013–14 Media Guide |url=http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/media/2.0/teamsites/lakers/images/multimedia/media_guide/2013_14_la_lakers_media_guide.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128153218/http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/media/2.0/teamsites/lakers/images/multimedia/media_guide/2013_14_la_lakers_media_guide.pdf |archive-date=November 28, 2013 |publisher=Los Angeles Lakers |page=7}}{{cite news |last=Bresnahan |first=Mike |date=March 19, 2014 |title=Jeanie Buss explains Kobe Bryant's contract, Phil Jackson situation |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20140320,0,5357940.story#axzz2wfbXDHAN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322213907/http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20140320,0,5357940.story |archive-date=March 22, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} She had ultimate operational authority and could overrule Jim's decisions.{{cite news |last=Bresnahan |first=Mike |date=April 19, 2014 |title=Buss family faces crucial moment with the Lakers |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-buss-family-20140420,0,1940758,full.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420111025/http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-buss-family-20140420,0,1940758,full.story |archive-date=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} However, she commented in 2013 that "I would be more comfortable if I understood what the decision process [on the Lakers' basketball side] was, and I'm not always involved in it."{{cite news|last=Deveney |first=Sean |title=Jim Buss and the Lakers, still paying for Chris Paul |date=August 15, 2013 |work=SportingNews.com |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2013-08-15/jim-buss-lakers-news-dwight-howard-chris-paul-trade-clippers-hornets-david-stern |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022012709/http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2013-08-15/jim-buss-lakers-news-dwight-howard-chris-paul-trade-clippers-hornets-david-stern |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |url-status=live }}

Jeanie and Jim had already been clashing for some time, as Jeanie expected the team to rehire Phil Jackson as head coach in 2012, only for Jim to hire Mike D'Antoni.{{cite news |last=Bresnahan |first=Mike |date=February 19, 2013 |title=Lakers expected to remain a Buss family-owned team |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-ownership-20130219,0,6689307.story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220005530/http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-ownership-20130219,0,6689307.story |archive-date=February 20, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} Jeanie publicly criticized Jim's decision in her book Laker Girl, upsetting Jim.{{cite news |last=Bresnahan |first=Mike |date=April 19, 2014 |title=Buss family faces crucial moment with the Lakers |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-buss-family-20140420,0,1940758,full.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420111025/http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-buss-family-20140420,0,1940758,full.story |archive-date=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} During the 2013–14 NBA season, Jim pledged that if the Lakers were not contending for a conference title or the NBA championship in three or four years, he would resign. Shortly before his timeline ran out, he signed two veterans to large, win-now contracts. NBC Sports' Dan Feldman opined that the deals "place[d] [Buss'] self-preservation over the Lakers' best long-term interests."{{Cite web |last=Feldman |first=Dan |date=2017-07-26 |title=Jeannie Buss says she didn't understand why Lakers signed Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/jeannie-buss-says-she-didnt-understand-why-lakers-signed-luol-deng-and-timofey-mozgov |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}

In February 2017, Buss terminated general manager Mitch Kupchak and VP of Basketball Operations Jim Buss.{{Cite web |last=Shelburne |first=Ramona |date=2017-03-08 |title=The inside story of the Lakers' family drama |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18840779/the-story-los-angeles-lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-tough-decision |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} ESPN reported that in addition to the team's multi-year decline in performance, Jeanie was upset that Jim did not consult her before making key trades, which she had previously instructed him to do. To replace Jim Buss and Kupchak, she hired Laker legend and former minority owner Magic Johnson as President of Basketball Operations and sports agent Rob Pelinka as general manager. She later said that she did not go through a public interview process to hire a GM because she did not want to tip off her brother, who might have (and did) respond by attempting to seize control of the team.{{cite news|first=Sam|last=Amick|title='Woooooo!': On Rob Pelinka, LeBron James and a Lakers turnaround that's almost complete|date=October 7, 2020|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/2121117/2020/10/07/woooooo-on-rob-pelinka-lebron-james-and-a-lakers-turnaround-thats-almost-complete/|url-access=subscription|access-date=October 9, 2020|quote=As Lakers owner Jeanie Buss told me recently on the 'Tampering' podcast, the covert nature of it all was necessary for her to keep her brother and former Lakers executive Jim Buss from wrestling away controlling interest of the franchise.}}{{cite podcast|title=Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss on the NBA Finals and how LeBron is different|date=September 29, 2020|work=The Athletic NBA Show|publisher=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/podcast/8-the-nba-show/?episode=217|access-date=October 9, 2020|time=29:18}}

In response, Johnny Buss (who supported Jim) attempted to remove Jeanie from the team's board of directors; according to one interpretation of the Lakers' organizational bylaws, this would force Jeanie to step down as controlling owner.{{Cite web |date=2017-03-08 |title=Buss brothers Johnny, Jim trying to bust family trust, sister Janie says |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18854663/janie-buss-says-brothers-jim-johnny-trying-bust-family-trust-sell-shares-lakers |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Jeanie filed a lawsuit to confirm her control over the team, in which she argued that the Buss trusts' governing documents required her to be the controlling owner and a team director.{{Cite web |last=Fenno |first=Nathan |date=2017-03-05 |title=In court papers, Jeanie Buss says brother was 'completely unfit' to run Lakers' basketball operations |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-lakers-buss-documents-20170304-story.html |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Shelburne |first=Ramona |date=2017-03-03 |title=Jeanie Buss thwarts brothers' coup attempt |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18816027/los-angeles-lakers-jeanie-buss-thwarts-coup-attempt-brothers-johnny-buss-jim-buss |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} She said that she had given Jim Buss "ample time to prove himself." The dispute was resolved in Jeanie Buss' favor when the Buss siblings gave her lifetime operational control over the team.{{Cite web |last=Shelburne |first=Ramona |date=2017-03-27 |title=Lakers' Jeanie Buss replaces brother with sister as trustee |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19016143/jeanie-buss-los-angeles-lakers-replaces-brother-sister-trustee |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

File:Jeanie Buss.jpg

Buss married volleyball player Steve Timmons in 1990, but divorced after three years. According to Buss, "I never put my marriage first ... It was always business which attracted me."{{cite news|last=Springer |first=Steve |title=Buss—The Next Generation |date=November 24, 2002 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-24-tm-buss47-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626185115/http://articles.latimes.com/print/2002/nov/24/magazine/tm-buss47 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |url-status=live }} She posed nude in the May 1995 issue of Playboy.{{cite news|last=Lidz|first=Franz|title=She's Got Balls|date=November 2, 1998|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1998/11/02/251193/shes-got-balls-will-jeanie-buss-daughter-of-lakers-owner-jerry-buss-be-the-next-to-rule-her-fathers-sports-kingdom-or-will-one-of-her-brothers-rise-to-power-a-fractured-family-fable|access-date=February 19, 2013}}

Buss began dating then-Lakers head coach Phil Jackson in December 1999,{{cite news|last=Wise |first=Mike |title=He Just Wins, and Wins |date=May 27, 2001 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/27/sports/pro-basketball-he-just-wins-and-wins.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714152441/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/27/sports/pro-basketball-he-just-wins-and-wins.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live }} and they became engaged in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/01/03/jennie-buss-phil-jackson/1808075/|title=Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss getting married?|work=USA Today|date=January 4, 2013|access-date=March 3, 2013}}{{cite news| url=http://deadspin.com/5973010/phil-jackson-has-put-a-ginormous-diamond-engagement-ring-on-jeanie-buss-hand |title=Phil Jackson Has Put A Ginormous Diamond Engagement Ring On Jeanie Buss' Hand | work=Deadspin | first=Erik | last = Malinowski}} On December 27, 2016, they announced the termination of their engagement in a joint statement on Twitter.{{cite web | url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2016/12/27/phil-jackson-jeanie-buss-call-off-engagement/95901530/ | title=Phil Jackson, Jeanie Buss mutually call off engagement }} After their breakup, Buss consulted with Jackson for input on the Lakers.{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Plaschke|title=Jeanie Buss says she isn't happy, vows 'I've got to make it better'|date=May 10, 2022|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2022-05-10/jeanie-buss-lakers-change|access-date=May 11, 2022}}

In December 2018, Buss received correspondence from an individual who asserted to be her secret sibling named Lee. Lee was the first child of Jerry Buss and JoAnn Mueller, having been given up for adoption. Lee expressed a desire to connect with not only Buss but also her mother and the rest of the siblings, which was arranged.{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketballnetwork.net/off-the-court/buss-children-found-out-they-had-a-secret-sibling-dr-jerry-buss-gave-up-for-adoption|title=When the Buss children found out they had a secret sibling who Dr. Jerry Buss gave up for adoption|date=October 15, 2022|website=Basketball Network |first1=Nicole |last1=Ganglani |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117174853/https://www.basketballnetwork.net/off-the-court/buss-children-found-out-they-had-a-secret-sibling-dr-jerry-buss-gave-up-for-adoption |archive-date= November 17, 2023 }}{{Cite web |last=Kirschenbaum |first=Alex |date=October 18, 2022 |title=Lakers: A New Buss Arrives For The "Legacy" Finale On Hulu |url=https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/new-buss-arrives-for-the-legacy-finale-on-hulu-ak1987 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829083411/https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/new-buss-arrives-for-the-legacy-finale-on-hulu-ak1987 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |website=All Lakers}}

In September 2021, Buss announced on Twitter that she was in a relationship with comedian Jay Mohr.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/jeanie-buss-jay-mohr/|title = Jeanie Buss Loves Jay Mohr, and She Wants Everyone to Know It| newspaper=Lamag |first1=Ian |last1=Spiegelman |date = September 26, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222105331/https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/jeanie-buss-jay-mohr/ |archive-date= December 22, 2022 }} They reportedly began dating in 2017.{{cite web | url=https://www.etonline.com/lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-and-comedian-jay-mohr-are-engaged-196331 | title=Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss and Comedian Jay Mohr Are Engaged |website= Entertainment Tonight | date=December 21, 2022 |first1=Miguel A. |last1=Melendez |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221229001556/https://www.etonline.com/lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-and-comedian-jay-mohr-are-engaged-196331 |archive-date= December 29, 2022 }}{{cite news | url=https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/owner-jeanie-buss-gets-engaged-to-comedian-jay-mohr-ak1987 | title=Lakers News: Owner Jeanie Buss Gets Engaged to Comedian Jay Mohr | newspaper=All Lakers |last=Kirschenbaum |first=Alex | date=December 21, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221222091529/https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/owner-jeanie-buss-gets-engaged-to-comedian-jay-mohr-ak1987 |archive-date= December 22, 2022 }} On December 21, 2022, they publicly announced their engagement; and on September 3, 2023, they married in a private ceremony in Malibu.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Kelli |date=September 6, 2023 |title=LA Lakers president Jeanie Buss, comedian Jay Mohr say 'I Do' in intimate Malibu ceremony |url=https://www.foxla.com/news/jeanie-buss-jay-mohr-tie-the-knot |access-date=June 17, 2024 |website=FOX 11 |language=en-US}} The couple live apart: Buss lives on the third level of their apartment building while Mohr lives on the first level.

NBA

• Six-time NBA champion
• Five as a member of the Lakers front office (2000–2002, 2009, 2010)
• One as controlling owner (2020)
• 2023 NBA Cup winner (as owner of the Lakers)

Sports Emmy Awards

• 2023 Outstanding Documentary Series (as executive producer of Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers)[https://theemmys.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/sports-44th-winners-release.pdf - 44th Sports Emmy Awards]

• {{cite book|last1=Buss|first1=Jeanie|last2=Springer|first2=Steve|title=Laker Girl|year=2010|publisher=Triumph Books|isbn=9781600785115}}{{Cite web |last=Tourtellotte |first=Bob |title=Laker Girl' Jeanie Buss details life in new book |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLNE71F03D/ |website=Reuters}}

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Category:1961 births

Category:Living people

Category:Writers from Santa Monica, California

Category:Los Angeles Lakers executives

Category:Los Angeles Lakers owners

Category:Marshall School of Business alumni

Category:21st-century American memoirists

Category:21st-century American women writers

Category:American women memoirists

Category:Los Angeles Blades

Category:Women basketball executives

Category:Professional wrestling promoters

Category:Buss family