Jeanie Buss

Jeanie Buss is an American sports executive who serves as governor and minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, a role she has held since the death of her father, Jerry Buss, in 2013. She is also co-owner of the women's wrestling league WOW – Women of Wrestling and co-founder of Cincoro tequila. Buss made history in 2020 when the Lakers won the NBA championship, making her the first female controlling owner to lead a team to an NBA title. Her leadership has been defined by a commitment to the franchise's legacy, and she remains a prominent figure in the sports world.

Buss's career spans decades, starting with managing the Los Angeles Strings tennis team at age 19 and later owning the Los Angeles Blades roller hockey team. She took over as Lakers president in 2013, navigating the team through a period of transition and ultimately guiding them back to championship glory. Beyond basketball, Buss has expanded her portfolio into spirits and entertainment, while also becoming a trailblazer for women in sports leadership. [edit]

Jeanie Buss grew up in a household where sports were a way of life. Her father, Jerry Buss, purchased the Lakers in 1979, and she was introduced to the business side of athletics early. At age 14, she attended the World Team Tennis Convention with her father, an experience that sparked her interest in sports management. She went on to earn a degree in business administration from the University of Southern California, where she honed the skills that would later define her career.

At 19, Buss became the general manager of the Los Angeles Strings, a World Team Tennis franchise owned by her father. This role gave her hands-on experience in team operations and marketing. She later owned the Los Angeles Blades, a roller hockey team, and served as president of the Great Western Forum, the Lakers' home arena. These roles allowed her to learn the intricacies of arena management and fan engagement, setting the stage for her eventual rise to the top of the Lakers organization.

Despite her family's wealth, Buss worked to establish her own identity in the sports industry. She was known for her dedication and willingness to take on challenges, traits that would prove essential when she assumed control of the Lakers. [edit]

Jeanie Buss's career took a pivotal turn in 2013 when her father passed away and controlling ownership of the Lakers transferred to his six children. Buss became the team's president and representative on the NBA Board of Governors. She quickly faced challenges, including the need to rebuild the franchise both on and off the court. In 2017, she made the difficult decision to remove her brother Jim from overseeing basketball operations, a move that consolidated her control and signaled a new era for the Lakers.

The decision paid off in 2020 when the Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, won the NBA championship. This victory was historic, as Buss became the first female controlling owner to lead her team to an NBA title. The championship added to her collection of six rings, the first five coming during her father's tenure. Buss's leadership has been credited with stabilizing the franchise and restoring its winning culture.

In 2025, the Buss family sold a majority stake in the Lakers to billionaire Mark Walter at a valuation of approximately $10 billion. The following year, the franchise was sold again, this time to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking $12.5 billion, the largest sale in American sports history. Despite these transactions, Buss has remained as governor, ensuring continuity for the team and its fans. [edit]

Jeanie Buss is widely regarded as a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of sports ownership. Her public image is that of a poised, professional executive who is deeply loyal to the Lakers and committed to preserving her father's legacy. She is often seen in business attire at games, projecting an air of authority and grace. Her social media presence is warm and personal, offering fans behind-the-scenes looks at Lakers life and her other ventures. Buss's leadership style is described as inclusive and collaborative, and she has earned respect from players, coaches, and peers. She is also recognized for her philanthropy and support of women's sports, further endearing her to fans who see her as a role model. [edit]

Jeanie Buss commands a unique position in the sports world where her audience is less a cult of personality and more an extension of the Lakers organization itself. Her supporters, who she affectionately calls the "Lakers Family," engage with her through professional channels rather than organized fan clubs or viral campaigns. Unlike entertainment icons whose fame generates its own mythology of fainting fans and subway ads, Buss's reputation rests on her steady executive presence and high-stakes business maneuvers. The narrative surrounding her is defined by corporate resilience rather than chaotic pop culture moments. A defining chapter in this story emerged in August 2026 when the franchise sold for $12.5 billion to a consortium led by Mark Walter. Despite the change in ownership, Buss secured an unprecedented agreement to remain as Governor, cementing her legacy as an executive who retains power even as the ship changes hands. She has also made waves with vocal policy stances against tanking and appearances in reality wrestling series, yet these moments are treated as news items rather than folklore. There are no documented stories of streets shutting down for her arrival or fan-funded billboards celebrating her birthday. Her influence is subtle but structural, built over decades of leadership since taking control after her father's death. While she remains a prominent figure in global sports, iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluated Jeanie Buss in August 2026 and found she does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings. She is not ranked within the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list.[edit]

Before becoming team president, Jeanie Buss managed the Los Angeles Strings tennis team at age 19 and later ran the Great Western Forum, the Lakers' home arena. At 14, she attended her first World Team Tennis Convention, offering an early glimpse into her future in sports business. She co-founded Cincoro tequila and owns WOW – Women of Wrestling, a league dedicated to female athletes. Netflix's series Running Point was inspired by her life and leadership of the Lakers. In August 2026, a major shift occurred when the Lakers were sold to a consortium including Mark Walter and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion. A key element of this saga was the unprecedented agreement allowing Jeanie Buss to remain as the team's Governor despite the sale, ensuring her continued role at the helm. That same month, she publicly criticized the Philadelphia 76ers' "Process" strategy, calling tanking irresponsible. Reports from August 2026 also confirmed her appearance on-camera for Season 5 of the reality wrestling series Women of Wrestling.[edit]

Jeanie Buss is the daughter of Jerry Buss, the legendary Lakers owner, and his second wife, JoAnn Mueller. She is one of six children, including brothers Jim, Johnny, Joey, and Janie. Her father's influence was profound, and she often refers to him as her hero. Buss has no children of her own, and her marriage to Steve Timmons, an Olympic volleyball player, ended in divorce. She remains close to her family, though her relationship with her brother Jim was strained after she removed him from basketball operations. Buss's family life has been intertwined with the Lakers, and she has often spoken about the responsibility she feels to honor her father's legacy. [edit]

Jerry Buss, Phil Jackson, Jim Buss, Mark Walter, Josh Kushner, Bob Iger, LeBron James. [edit]

Jeanie Buss married Steve Timmons, a former Olympic volleyball player, in the 1990s. The marriage ended in divorce, and they had no children together. After her divorce, Buss began a long-term relationship with Phil Jackson, the legendary Lakers coach. They dated for approximately 17 years, from around 1999 to 2016. Their relationship was closely watched, as Jackson coached the Lakers to five championships during their time together. The couple never married and had no children. They split amicably in 2016, citing the challenges of their high-profile lives. Since then, Buss has remained single and has not been publicly linked to anyone else. As of 2026, she is reportedly single. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Jeanie Buss's net worth at $1 Billion as of 2026, primarily derived from her ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. The Buss family sold a majority stake in the team to Mark Walter in 2025 at a valuation of $10 billion, and the franchise was sold again in 2026 for $12.5 billion. While her exact share is not public, it is clear that she received a substantial payout from these transactions. Beyond basketball, Buss earns income from her co-ownership of Cincoro tequila and WOW – Women of Wrestling. She has also invested in real estate and other ventures over the years. Her net worth has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting the soaring value of NBA franchises.[edit]

Jeanie Buss has not won traditional entertainment awards, but her achievements in sports are historic. She earned six NBA championship rings as an owner/executive of the Lakers, including the 2020 title that made her the first female controlling owner to win an NBA championship. [edit]