When people think about the purple and gold, they usually think of Magic Johnson’s smile, Kobe Bryant’s "Mamba Mentality," or LeBron James breaking records. But the real game happens in the boardroom. The Los Angeles Lakers owners aren't just one person with a giant checkbook. It's complicated. It's a mix of a family dynasty, a real estate mogul, and a massive corporate entity.
Honestly, the Lakers are basically the "Succession" of the NBA.
The Buss Family: The Heart of the Operation
Dr. Jerry Buss bought the team in 1979. He didn't just buy a basketball team; he bought a lifestyle. He got the Lakers, the Kings (NHL), the Forum, and a ranch for about $67.5 million. Today? The team alone is worth billions. But Jerry didn't want the team sold when he passed away in 2013. He wanted his kids to run it.
That’s where things get messy.
The Buss Family Trust owns about 66% of the team. This majority stake is split among the six Buss siblings: Jeanie, Joey, Jesse, Janie, Johnny, and Jim. Jeanie Buss is the boss. She’s the Controlling Owner and the Governor. She’s the one who has to show up at the league meetings and make the final call on whether to fire a coach or trade for a superstar.
It hasn't been a smooth ride. You might remember the 2017 coup attempt. Johnny and Jim tried to oust Jeanie. It was a whole thing. Lawyers got involved. Restraining orders were mentioned. In the end, Jeanie flexed her power, cleared out the front office—including her own brother Jim—and brought in Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka. It was a cold move, but necessary for the franchise to survive.
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The "Silent" Power Players: AEG and Patrick Soon-Shiong
While the Buss family gets the headlines, they don't own the whole pie. About 34% of the Los Angeles Lakers owners are "minority" partners, though calling them minor is a bit of an understatement given the dollar amounts involved.
Philip Anschutz, the guy behind AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), owned a massive chunk for years. AEG owns Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center). In 2021, he sold his 27% stake. This was a massive shift in the landscape. Who bought it? Mark Walter and Todd Boehly. If those names sound familiar, it's because they also own the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chelsea FC.
Then there's Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong.
He’s a billionaire biotech mogul. He bought Magic Johnson’s 4.5% share back in 2010. Soon-Shiong is often seen courtside. He doesn’t interfere with basketball operations, but his presence adds a level of financial stability and local prestige that most teams dream of. He’s arguably the wealthiest individual in the ownership group, even if he doesn't have the "Control Person" title.
Why It’s Not Just About Money
Ownership in the NBA is different than owning a tech company. It’s a vanity asset, sure, but for the Los Angeles Lakers owners, it’s a civic responsibility. The fan base is demanding. They don't care about "profit margins" or "luxury tax implications." They want banners.
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Jesse and Joey Buss have actually worked their way up. Jesse runs the scouting department. He’s widely respected for finding gems late in the draft like Kyle Kuzma or Josh Hart. Joey runs the South Bay Lakers, the G-League affiliate. This isn't just a group of socialites collecting checks; some of them are actually grinding in the gym.
The Structure of the Trust
The Buss Family Trust is the legal glue holding the whole thing together. It’s designed to keep the team in the family, but it also creates a "vote by committee" vibe that can be frustrating for fans.
- Jeanie has the ultimate vote.
- The siblings share the profits.
- The trust has specific clauses about selling, making it incredibly difficult for any one sibling to "cash out" without the others.
This structure is why the Lakers often feel like a mom-and-pop shop that happens to be worth $6 billion. They value loyalty—sometimes to a fault. They hire "Lakers People." Rob Pelinka was Kobe's agent. Magic was, well, Magic. Byron Scott, Luke Walton, Kurt Rambis—the list goes on. This insular culture comes directly from the ownership's desire to keep the "Laker Family" vibe alive.
Challenges Facing the Owners Today
The NBA is changing. New owners like Steve Ballmer (Clippers) or Mat Ishbia (Suns) have nearly infinite pockets and a willingness to spend whatever it takes. The Lakers, while incredibly valuable, don't have that same "new money" liquidity. Most of the Buss family wealth is the Lakers.
When the luxury tax bill hits $50 million or $100 million, it hurts them more than it hurts a guy who owns Microsoft. This leads to tough decisions, like letting Alex Caruso walk in free agency to save money—a move that still haunts the fanbase.
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There is also the constant pressure of the "LeBron Era." Managing a superstar of that caliber requires a delicate balance of giving him what he wants while protecting the team's future. The owners have to navigate the transition into the post-LeBron years, which will be the biggest test for Jeanie Buss since she took over.
What You Should Know About the Future
Will they ever sell? Probably not. Jeanie has stated multiple times that the team is not for sale. It’s her father’s legacy. However, with the rising costs of competing in the NBA and the sheer number of family members involved, the "Dodger guys" (Walter and Boehly) are lurking in the background. They already have a foot in the door.
If you’re tracking the Los Angeles Lakers owners, watch the minority stakes. If Soon-Shiong or the Walter/Boehly group starts buying up more percentage points from the other Buss siblings, that’s when you know a power shift is happening.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the "Governor" label. In the NBA, the Governor is the only one who truly matters for league votes. That is Jeanie Buss. As long as she holds that title, she is the Lakers.
- Follow the scouting reports. Jesse Buss is the person to watch if you want to know the future of the roster. His influence in the ownership circle grows every time he hits on a draft pick.
- Monitor the Luxury Tax. To understand the owners' financial health, look at their willingness to pay the repeater tax. If they start cutting role players for "cash considerations," it's a sign of a budget crunch.
- Keep an eye on the Dodgers connection. Mark Walter and Todd Boehly are aggressive. They didn't buy a piece of the Lakers just to sit in the back row. Their influence on the business side of the Lakers' operations will only increase over the next five years.
The ownership of the Lakers is a revolving door of drama, but for now, the Buss family remains firmly in the driver's seat. They are the guardians of a brand that transcends sports. Whether they can keep up with the billionaire "arms race" of the modern NBA is a question that will be answered on the hardwood.