If you’ve spent any time on Netflix lately, you’ve probably seen Kate Hudson’s face plastered across the "Running Point" thumbnail. She plays Isla Gordon, a woman suddenly thrust into the presidency of a fictional basketball team called the Los Angeles Waves. It’s chaotic. It’s funny. It’s full of boardroom backstabbing and family drama that feels just a little too specific to be purely made up.
That’s because it isn't.
The real force behind the curtain is Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. While the show is a comedy, the DNA of the series is rooted in the actual power struggles and "glass-breaking" moments Jeanie faced while becoming the first female controlling owner to lead an NBA team to a championship. Honestly, the real story of Jeanie Buss running point on the Lakers legacy is often wilder than what you see on TV.
Why Jeanie Buss Running Point Matters in 2026
For a long time, the narrative around the Lakers was dominated by the men—Jerry Buss, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal. Jeanie was often framed as the "business side" daughter, someone who handled the marketing while the guys handled the hoops. But "Running Point" flips that script. It’s Jeanie’s way of reclaiming a narrative that was partially hijacked by dramatizations like HBO's "Winning Time," which she famously felt didn't quite capture the reality of her life.
Jeanie actually approached Mindy Kaling to get this show made. Think about that for a second. The president of one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world decides to executive produce a comedy that parodies her own family’s dysfunction. It takes a certain level of confidence—or maybe just a thick skin developed from years of being the only woman in the room—to say, "Go ahead, make fun of the time I had to fire my own brother."
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The Real-Life Power Plays (No Script Required)
In the show, Isla Gordon has to deal with brothers who think they should be in charge. In real life, Jeanie had to deal with Jim and Johnny Buss. This wasn't some minor sibling rivalry over who gets the front seat of the car. This was a high-stakes legal battle for control of a billion-dollar empire.
- The Succession Plan: Dr. Jerry Buss left Jeanie in charge of the business, but Jim was in charge of the basketball. It was a recipe for disaster.
- The 2017 Coup: Jeanie’s brothers tried to oust her from the board. They wanted to seize control.
- The Counter-Strike: Jeanie didn't just sit there. She filed a temporary restraining order and eventually secured a court-mandated agreement that makes her the controlling owner for the rest of her life.
Basically, she had to play defense and offense at the same time. When people talk about Jeanie Buss running point, they aren't just talking about a title on a door. They’re talking about the survival of a legacy.
The "Kate Hudson" Connection
One of the coolest nuggets of information that recently surfaced is that Jeanie and Kate Hudson actually go way back. When Kate was a teenager, she used to shadow Jeanie at the Great Western Forum. She’d watch Jeanie handle the box office for the L.A. Kings and manage the "heartbeat" of the arena.
So, when Kate Hudson is on screen playing Isla, she’s pulling from memories of a real-life mentor she’s known since she was sixteen. It’s not just a performance; it’s a tribute.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Show
There’s a misconception that "Running Point" is a documentary. It’s not. Isla Gordon isn't Jeanie Buss, and the Waves aren't the Lakers. But the feelings are real.
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The show tackles the "Boys Club" mentality that still exists in professional sports. It looks at the exhaustion of having to prove you belong in a room you already own. Jeanie has been very open about the pressure. She’s mentioned that she carries the hopes of every woman in sports management. That’s a heavy lift.
The Luka Doncic "What If" and Real Strategy
In early 2025, right around the time "Running Point" was hitting its stride, Jeanie made waves (pun intended) by discussing a massive real-world trade. We’re talking about the Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis blockbuster.
While the show focuses on the "absurdity" of trade negotiations—like Isla trading for cash and draft picks in the middle of the night—Jeanie’s real-world moves are calculated. She learned from her father how to keep things quiet. Remember the Pau Gasol trade? Nobody saw it coming. That’s the "Buss Way."
She’s also had to manage the final chapters of LeBron James’ career and the rise of the "inner circle" criticism. People love to talk about her advisors, specifically Linda Rambis (who serves as the inspiration for Brenda Song’s character in the show). Critics call it "cronyism"; Jeanie calls it loyalty. In a world where everyone is trying to take your seat, you keep your friends close.
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Actionable Insights from the Front Office
Whether you're a die-hard Lakers fan or just someone watching the Netflix show for the laughs, there are actual lessons to be learned from how Jeanie operates.
- Own Your Narrative: If you don't like how you're being portrayed, create your own platform. Jeanie didn't just complain about "Winning Time"; she produced "Running Point."
- Loyalty is Currency: In high-stakes business, technical skills are common, but trust is rare. Surrounding yourself with people who won't blink during a coup is essential.
- Adaptability Wins: Jeanie went from running a tennis team at 19 to an inline hockey team to the NBA. She didn't wait to be "ready"; she learned on the fly.
- Humor as a Shield: Being able to laugh at the "crazy situations" of your own life makes you a lot harder to rattle.
The story of Jeanie Buss running point isn't over yet. With the Lakers constantly under the microscope and "Running Point" humanizing the woman at the top, the line between sports and entertainment has never been thinner.
To really understand the show, you have to understand the woman who lived it. She isn't just a "stand-in" for a character; she's the architect of the whole building. If you want to dive deeper into her actual history, check out her autobiography or the "Legacy" documentary on Hulu—they provide the "hard" facts that "Running Point" turns into comedy gold.