Five Los Angeles Lakers heirs have filed formal court opposition against team governor Jeanie Buss, pushing back against her legal bid to block the sale of the family trust’s remaining 17.8 percent stake in the franchise to a group led by Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger at a $12.5 billion valuation.
The ownership dispute over one of the NBA’s most recognizable brands has moved from family discussions to Los Angeles Superior Court. Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey, and Jesse Buss filed their opposition in response to an August petition filed by Jeanie Buss, who is attempting to halt the sale and protect her position as the franchise’s controlling governor.
Siblings Force Sale to Kushner and Iger
The rift escalated after Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter agreed to sell the Lakers to Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger at a $12.5 billion valuation. Walter had purchased the franchise from the Buss family for a $10 billion valuation in October 2025, an agreement that included provisions for Jeanie to remain team governor for at least five years.
When Walter moved to sell his interest amid federal investigations into his investment empire’s disclosures, the five non-Jeanie siblings voted unanimously in August to utilize their tag-along rights. By exercising those rights, the family trust’s remaining 17.82 percent stake would be included in the transaction, valued at approximately $2.2 billion.
Following this 5-0 vote by the siblings, who range in age from Jesse (37) up to Johnny (69), the family trust members moved forward to protect their interests while keeping legal proceedings in motion. Jerry Buss originally bought the franchise back in 1979 before selecting Jeanie in 2013 to run the team.
“Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss, the five of six siblings who voted to sell the Trust’s shares in the Lakers, today filed their formal opposition, demonstrating that Jeanie Buss’s petition is legally and factually baseless.”
Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey, and Jesse Buss, via statement provided to ESPN and other outlets
The siblings added in their statement that while discussions among the family continue, their primary focus is facilitating the transaction and ensuring all beneficiaries receive equal treatment.
Jeanie Buss Cites 2017 Court Order
Jeanie Buss argued in her late August petition that her siblings’ attempt to sell the trust’s shares violates a 2017 court order. That order required the family to take all actions reasonably available to maintain her controlling governor role. Under NBA rules, any team governor must hold at least a 15 percent ownership stake in the franchise. If the family trust sells its remaining shares, Jeanie would drop below that threshold and lose her seat on the Board of Governors.
Her attorney, Adam Streisand, argued in the August petition that the 5-0 vote made by the siblings was invalid because she was never consulted, never agreed to any sale, and was never even informed. Her legal filing also asked the court to remove co-trustees Janie and Joey Buss.
Siblings File 36-Page Court Defense
In their 36-page opposition filed Wednesday, the five siblings countered that the 2017 stipulation did not restrict the beneficiaries’ separate right to terminate the trust or exercise its governing provisions. According to their legal team, the family trust agreement allows them to divest if at least two-thirds of the siblings vote to sell.
The filing dismisses Jeanie’s arguments entirely, asserting that her petition is driven by personal self-interest rather than fiduciary obligation.
“Jeanie’s efforts by the Petition to avoid this inescapable conclusion for her own self-interested reasons are contrary to the Trust Agreement’s express terms, constitute a breach of her fiduciary duties as a trustee, and must be rejected.”
Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey, and Jesse Buss, via court filing reported by the Orange County Register
The siblings’ legal response further states that Jeanie’s efforts to block the transaction constitute a breach of her fiduciary duties as a trustee by ignoring the family’s potential $2.2 billion payout.
With both sides entrenched, a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court has been rescheduled for December 8.