Jeanie Buss To Remain Governor Of Lakers Despite Sale To Kushner-Iger

Incoming Los Angeles Lakers owners Bob Iger and Josh Kushner plan to uphold the arrangement keeping Jeanie Buss as team Governor, Iger told the California Post, following their $12.5 billion purchase of the franchise from Mark Walter.

The commitment traces back to Walter’s original acquisition of the Lakers from the Buss family, a deal that carried a then-record $10 billion valuation. As part of that transaction, the league announced that Buss retain her role as Governor for a minimum of five years.

“We have enormous respect and appreciation for Jeanie, her father and what they’ve contributed to this franchise,” said Iger. “And we have every intention to honor the agreement that was made between Mark and Jeanie. If things change, they’ll change, but we’re going into this with enormous respect and appreciation for who she is and what she represents in the organization.”

Iger and Kushner finalized their purchase of Walter’s majority stake within three business days after learning he might be willing to sell. The opportunity arose while the pair were separately pursuing ownership interests tied to the NBA’s potential Las Vegas expansion franchise.

Iger said he has spoken directly with Buss since the deal came together, along with Lakers coach JJ Redick. He has not yet connected with star guard Luka Doncic.

Beyond the Buss agreement, Iger indicated no concrete plans have been formed yet regarding the franchise’s future direction, describing the ownership change as still very new for both him and Kushner.

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