Over the last 18 months or so, there has been change after change for the Los Angeles Lakers, beginning with the blockbuster trade that brought them Luka Doncic in February 2025. In October of last year, Mark Walter purchased a majority share of the team from the Buss family, only to agree to sell that share to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger last week.
Then on Monday of this week, five of the six Buss siblings reportedly voted to sell their remaining 17.8% stake in the franchise. Jeanie Buss, the franchise's governor, was the one sibling who was opposed to that decision.
In seemingly stereotypical Lakers fashion, there has even been a war of words between her lawyer and ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. Buss' lawyer wrote a letter that, in part, called out how Charania reported the Buss family's desire to sell its stake in the team, via Underdog NBA.
"As you know, this afternoon, Shams Charania of ESPN falsely reported that the six Buss siblings voted to sell the 17.8% ownership stake in the Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, and that my client, Jeanie Buss, is 'out' as controlling owner.
"This is just the latest instance of a years-long pattern whereby Joey and Jesse Buss leak false, defamatory and pernicious 'information' to Mr. Charania for the malicious purpose of doing harm to the Los Angeles Lakers so long as Dr. Buss's chosen successor, Jeanie Buss, carries out her father's wishes."
Charania's initial report said that the Buss family had agreed to sell its share of the Lakers, which could be interpreted as somewhat misleading. While appearing on "The Pat McAfee Show," Charania responded to that letter.
"I fully stand by my reporting," Charania said. "What I reported was that there was a majority vote -- at least four of six necessary to be able to close a transfer as far as the tag-along provision.
"... Only the siblings, the lawyers involved have access to what the trust actually says."
There is now a report that Buss is open to finding a way to hold at least a 15% share of the team so that she can remain as governor, even if her siblings still end up selling their respective portions.
It looks like this dispute could end up in court, which means it could potentially get ugly. In the meantime, the initial purchase of Walter's majority stake by Kushner and Iger is expected to take several weeks to become official, pending approval by the NBA board of governors.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Jeanie Buss' lawyer, Shams Charania exchange words over ownership saga
Leave a Comment