Buss Family Legal Battle Intensifies Over Lakers Sale Dispute

WHO:

NY Post - Five Buss siblings, Jeanie Buss, Joey Buss, Janie Buss, Josh Kushner, Bob Iger, Mark Walter

RealGM Basketball - Jeanie Buss, Joey Buss, Janie Buss, NBA board of governors

WHAT:

NY Post - The Buss siblings filed a court document opposing Jeanie Buss's sole vote to sell the family's remaining 17.82% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers.

RealGM Basketball - Joey and Janie Buss filed new court papers opposing Jeanie Buss's attempt to block the sale of the family's remaining stake.

RealGM Basketball - Jeanie Buss filed a 97-page petition asking the court to remove Joey and Janie as co-trustees and to void the siblings' 5-1 vote to sell the family's stake.

RealGM Basketball - The Lakers are being sold at a $12.5 billion valuation.

RealGM Basketball - The filing states that a sale requires a two-thirds majority vote of the siblings, which the vote exceeded.

RealGM Basketball - The filing argues that a 2017 court order directing the trustees to support Jeanie as controlling owner no longer applies once the trust is terminated.

WHERE:

RealGM Basketball - Los Angeles Superior Court

WHEN:

RealGM Basketball - The NBA board of governors vote is expected to occur in November.

WHY:

RealGM Basketball - The dispute centers on authority regarding the Trust's continuation, termination events, and the responsibilities of the Trustee Respondents.

HOW:

RealGM Basketball - The trust secured two sale rights when Walter bought the team in 2025: a put right and a tag-along right.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 20:00 UTC)

In a significant legal development, the Buss siblings have filed court documents opposing Jeanie Buss's attempt to unilaterally sell the family's remaining 17.82% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, which is valued at $12.5 billion. The siblings, Joey and Janie Buss, argue that a previous court order supporting Jeanie's control no longer applies, especially since the trust is set to be terminated, and they claim their vote to sell exceeded the required two-thirds majority. The NBA board of governors is expected to vote on the matter in November, as the dispute centers around the authority and responsibilities of the trustees involved.