Jeanie Buss Seeks to Block Lakers Share Sale
The Lakers owner is asking a court to stop her siblings from selling the family's remaining stake in the team.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Basketball
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Jeanie Buss has filed a court request to block her siblings from selling the family's remaining 17.82% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. She is also seeking to remove her siblings, Joey and Janie Buss, as co-trustees.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on control of the Lakers, as the NBA requires family ownership of at least 15% to maintain team control. Jeanie Buss alleges a breach of fiduciary duty, while her siblings contend they are exercising their rights as beneficiaries.
The Los Angeles Lakers are valued at $12.5 billion in the proposed deal, compared to the $10 billion valuation from the 2025 majority stake sale. If the sale proceeds, each of the five siblings stands to receive $371 million.
The players
Jeanie Buss
She serves as the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team.
Joey Buss
He is a co-trustee of the family trust and one of the siblings currently involved in the voting dispute.
Janie Buss
She is a co-trustee of the family trust and one of the siblings currently involved in the voting dispute.
Bob Iger
He is a member of the ownership group currently attempting to purchase the remaining family shares of the Lakers.
Josh Kushner
He is a member of the ownership group currently attempting to purchase the remaining family shares of the Lakers.
The details
Jeanie Buss claims her siblings are running a cloak and dagger campaign to sell the family's remaining shares against her wishes. The siblings have argued that they are simply using go-along rights to force the sale of their assets.
Timeline
Dr. Jerry Buss died in 2013.
A court order regarding trust voting rights was issued in 2017.
Mark Walter bought a majority stake in the Lakers in 2025.
Siblings voted to sell remaining family shares on August 17, 2026.
A hearing is scheduled in Los Angeles Superior Court on December 8, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This ownership dispute directly threatens the stability of the Lakers' front office control structure, potentially undermining the 2017 court mandate that solidified Jeanie Buss's position. The outcome of the December hearing will determine whether the family maintains the 15% stake required for league control.
The potential sale of the remaining 17.82% stake could drop the Buss family ownership below the 15% threshold required by the NBA to retain control of the franchise. This legal action serves as a final barrier to prevent the ownership group led by Bob Iger and Josh Kushner from closing the deal.
The takeaway
Family-run sports franchises often face complex ownership entanglements as generational interests diverge over time. Investors and fans should monitor court rulings as they often dictate the long-term operational stability of major professional teams.
What happens next
A hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court is scheduled for December 8, 2026, to address the request to remove co-trustees and block the share sale.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the team, read our coverage of Los Angeles Basketball.
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Should a family trust prioritize one designated leader's authority over the voting rights of other heirs?
