Jeanie Buss Believes Her Dad Jerry Would Approve Lakers Sale

Buss says her father would have wanted the team to have the resources to stay at the top of the NBA.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Jeanie Buss, the current governor of the Los Angeles Lakers, believes her late father Jerry Buss would have approved of her decision to sell the franchise to businessman and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter. Buss cited the need for the Lakers to have the necessary resources to remain a top NBA team, which she believes was important to her father during his tenure as owner.

Why it matters

The Lakers have struggled in recent years, failing to make the playoffs since the 2023 season. Buss hopes the sale to Walter will provide the stability and resources needed to build a championship contender around star player Luka Doncic.

The details

Jeanie Buss orchestrated the sale of the Lakers to Mark Walter last year, amid reports of family drama and infighting between Buss and her siblings. Buss believes her father Jerry, who owned the Lakers for decades and oversaw their dynasty, would have approved of the sale, as it will give the team the resources needed to return to the top of the NBA.

  • The Lakers were sold to Mark Walter in 2025.
  • The Lakers last made the playoffs in the 2023 season.

The players

Jeanie Buss

The current governor of the Los Angeles Lakers and daughter of former owner Jerry Buss.

Jerry Buss

The former longtime owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, who oversaw the team's dynasty and established them as the most successful franchise in the NBA.

Mark Walter

The businessman and owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers who purchased the Lakers in 2025.

Luka Doncic

The young All-Star player who was recently acquired by the Lakers and is seen as the team's new centerpiece.

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What they’re saying

“What was important to him was that the Lakers stay at the top of the NBA, and to stay at the top of the NBA, you need to have the resources. You need to have everybody pulling together. And he would want [that for] the Lakers, because the Lakers are his legacy.”

— Jeanie Buss, Lakers Governor (ESPN)

“The partnership will give us the stability to continue to move forward as we build towards a team around Doncic. We couldn't be more proud that he is a Laker. He is a young All-Star that the fans love to see.”

— Jeanie Buss, Lakers Governor (CNBS)

What’s next

Buss and the new ownership group will look to build a championship contender around Luka Doncic, with the goal of returning the Lakers to the top of the NBA.

The takeaway

Jeanie Buss believes her late father Jerry, who built the Lakers into an NBA dynasty, would have approved of the decision to sell the team to new ownership that can provide the resources necessary to compete at the highest level and restore the franchise's winning tradition.