Jeanie Buss Challenges Siblings' Vote to Sell Lakers Stake Amid Governor Role Threat

A legal battle has erupted within the family that has controlled the Los Angeles Lakers for decades, as Jeanie Buss, the team’s longtime governor, is contesting a reported vote by her siblings to sell their remaining ownership stake. The dispute centers on whether a sale of the family’s 17.8 percent share to a group led by former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner is valid.

On August 12, 2026, controlling owner Mark Walter announced an agreement to sell his majority stake to the Iger-Kushner group in a deal that values the franchise at a record $12.5 billion. The transaction is pending approval by the NBA Board of Governors, scheduled to meet in mid-September.

Following this, reports emerged on August 17 that five of the six Buss siblings had voted to sell their family trust’s remaining shares to the Iger-Kushner group as part of that larger deal. A statement attributed to the family said, “We have decided as a family to sell the remaining Buss Family Trust shares to the Bob Iger group as part of the ongoing transaction. We love the Lakers, Laker fans and will continue to support Los Angeles but it is time to use this opportunity to move on and exit...