Buss Siblings Filed Opposition to Jeanie Buss Over Sale
Five siblings challenged a legal petition to stop the sale of family trust shares in the Los Angeles Lakers.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Basketball
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Five Buss siblings have filed a 36-page court response opposing Jeanie Buss's attempt to block the sale of the family's 17.82% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. The group is moving to complete a transaction valuing the franchise at $12.5 billion.
Why it matters
The siblings aim to finalize a sale that would bring in $2.2 billion for the trust, while alleging Jeanie Buss is leveraging her position to remain the team's controlling owner. They contend that a 2017 court order does not prevent the beneficiaries from terminating the trust to facilitate the transfer of shares.
The family trust currently controls 17.82% of the Los Angeles Lakers, which is slated to earn $2.2 billion from the proposed $12.5 billion franchise valuation. The dispute rests on the interpretation of a 2017 court order regarding trust beneficiaries.
The players
Jeanie Buss
She is the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers who is currently contesting the sale of trust-held shares.
Mark Walter
He is a billionaire businessman who reached a side agreement with Jeanie Buss in 2025 regarding the Lakers franchise.
Josh Kushner
He is an investor and businessman who is part of the group seeking to purchase shares of the Lakers franchise.
Bob Iger
He is a high-profile media executive expected to join the ownership group of the Lakers pending a league vote.
The details
The siblings' latest filing argues that the sale of shares to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger should proceed as planned. Jeanie Buss previously challenged the legality of the sale in August 2026, citing a side agreement with Mark Walter established in October 2025.
Timeline
A court order regarding the trust was initially issued in 2017.
Jeanie Buss entered a side agreement with Mark Walter in October 2025.
Jeanie Buss challenged the legality of the share sale in August 2026.
The NBA Board of Governors is expected to vote on the sale in November 2026.
A court hearing for the legal dispute is scheduled for December 8, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The potential sale of Lakers shares marks a significant shift in the NBA's ownership landscape and franchise control. This development follows the precedent set by the 2017 court order regarding Buss family trust trustees which governs the siblings' current legal arguments.
The outcome of the December 8, 2026 court hearing will dictate whether the ownership structure of the Los Angeles Lakers changes in November. If the sale is approved, it would mark the entry of new primary stakeholders into the franchise, altering the team's long-term business trajectory.
The takeaway
The struggle over the Lakers trust highlights the complexity of managing generational sports wealth when internal family interests diverge. Readers should note that legal agreements regarding family trusts often carry long-term implications for organizational control.
What happens next
The NBA Board of Governors is expected to hold a vote on the potential sale in November 2026, followed by a court hearing on December 8, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the business side of the team, visit Los Angeles Basketball.
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