The Court Filing
The legal dispute over the right to sell the Buss family stake in the Los Angeles Lakers continued Wednesday. Five of the Buss siblings officially filed their case against their sister, Lakers acting governor Jeanie Buss.
Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss are the five siblings who voted to sell the trust shares in the Lakers. They filed their formal opposition to show that the petition from Jeanie Buss lacks legal and factual basis, according to a statement.
The siblings stated that discussions continue, but their main focus is facilitating the proposed transaction and the trust participation in it. They also want to ensure that all beneficiaries, including Jeanie, are treated equally. They added that the filing is a necessary step to protect those interests and ensure the transaction proceeds on schedule.
Background of the Dispute
In August, Jeanie challenged the legality of the vote by her siblings to sell the remaining shares of the franchise to an ownership group formed by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. That group agreed to purchase the Lakers from Mark Walter at a valuation of $12.5 billion.
Jeanie submitted a 97-page petition to block the sale of the family remaining 17.82 percent ownership stake to the new group. The new group is expected to take control of the franchise following a vote by the NBA Board of Governors in November. A court hearing was scheduled for November 5, 2026, and later postponed to December 8, 2026.
The other siblings submitted a 36-page response on Wednesday to address the arguments made by Jeanie lawyer Adam Streisand. One key rebuttal deals with a 2017 court order that Streisand argued prevents the family from attempting to sell the team without the consent of Jeanie as the controlling owner.
Trust Rights and Financial Gains
Joey and Janie Buss were named as co-trustees along with Jeanie in the 2017 order. The siblings argue that the order requiring trustees to maintain Jeanie as controlling owner did not limit the separate rights of beneficiaries to terminate the trust.
The new filing also highlights the $2.2 billion the trust is set to earn through the tag along provision by selling to Kushner and Iger. It addresses a side agreement between Jeanie and Walter from October 2025, which arranged for her to remain director and controlling owner for five years.
The filing contends that Jeanie is acting in her own self-interests to preserve her position with the Lakers. It argues that her personal interest in maintaining her stature conflicts with her fiduciary obligations to the trust and its beneficiaries.
Predictions for these teams
Read next
- Football predictions today
- Jackpot predictions this week
- NBA and every other league
- NBA official website
Good to know: We are not paid for any link on this page.
Be the first to comment
Tell us who you think wins and why. Keep it friendly. Links are removed on their own.
Note: comments are the writer own opinion, not ours, and never a tip from us.
18+Read this before you bet
- There are no sure bets. Every tip on this page is a chance worked out from data about the next game. A tip at 70 percent still loses about three times in ten. Anyone selling a sure bet or a fixed match is lying.
- Betting is not income. Never bet to pay rent, school fees or a loan, and never borrow to bet, including from mobile loan apps.
- 18 and over only. Betting under 18 is illegal in Kenya.
- Use licensed bookmakers. Only bet with operators licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya. Prices here can change before you bet, so check them first.
- Gambling can be addictive. If it stops being fun, stop. Read our responsible betting page or visit Responsible Gaming Federation of Kenya.
Good to know: We are not a bookmaker and we do not take bets. Full details are in our disclaimer.
