Jeanie Buss, governor of the Los Angeles Lakers, is publicly opposing the proposed sale of her family’s stake in the team to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner. In a letter sent to law firms representing her siblings, Jeanie’s attorney, Adam Streisand, emphasizes that she has not agreed to sell any portion of the Lakers and asserts that a vote indicating a family sale would be invalid. Streisand also notes that Jeanie remains the controlling shareholder of the Lakers as per a 2017 court order, and any sale requires her consent.

The dispute centers around ownership control within the Buss family, with Streisand stating that the co-trustees of the JAB Trust—Jeanie, Janie, and Joey Buss—must vote to maintain at least a 15% family ownership stake to preserve Jeanie’s majority authority. He warns that attempts by the other trustees to proceed otherwise would violate their fiduciary duties and court orders. Jeanie Buss’s firm stance conflicts with a recent statement from her five siblings, who declared that they had collectively decided to sell the family’s remaining shares.

The other Buss siblings expressed their unified decision to move ahead with the sale, prioritizing what they believe is best for the Lakers franchise, its fans, and the Los Angeles community. This disagreement comes shortly after reports that Iger and Kushner had agreed to purchase Mark Walter’s controlling stake, valuing the Lakers at $12.5 billion. The purchase would give Iger and Kushner nearly 83% ownership, including the family stake.

Sources close to Jeanie Buss say she opposes selling the family’s shares at this time, aiming to maintain her role as team governor while preserving the stake’s value. The conflict highlights a rare internal family rift over stewardship of the iconic basketball franchise, raising questions about the future ownership structure of the Lakers. The legal and familial battle continues as key stakeholders navigate this high-profile transaction.