Who Is Jeanie Buss Father Jerry Buss
Jeanie Buss father is Jerry Buss, a California-based real estate investor, chemist, and professional sports owner who died in 2013. He was the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings through his company, The Janus Investment Group Forbes. His estate plan made Jeanie Buss the controlling owner of the Lakers after his death, with her siblings controlling minority stakes in the team and other properties.
Jerry Buss was born on January 27, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Southern California. He built his wealth through real estate investments in Los Angeles and later expanded into sports and entertainment, turning the Lakers into one of the most valuable franchises in the NBA Bloomberg. His net worth at the time of his death was estimated at around $2 billion, with the Lakers franchise alone valued at over $4 billion today.
Jerry Buss Business Empire and Investments
Jerry Buss founded The Janus Investment Group to manage his portfolio of real estate, oil, and sports properties. The group held the primary ownership stake in the Lakers, the Sparks, and the Kings, while also owning the Forum in Inglewood, California, before its sale to Steve Ballmer Forbes. His investment strategy focused on long-term appreciation of sports franchises and premium real estate in the Los Angeles market.
The Lakers became the centerpiece of the Buss empire after Jerry Buss purchased the team in 1979 as part of a group that included Jack Kent Cooke. Under his ownership, the Lakers won multiple NBA championships and became a global brand with an estimated franchise value of over $6 billion in recent valuations Forbes. Jeanie Buss father built the framework that allowed his children to control the franchise and its related businesses for decades after his death.
Jeanie Buss Father Legacy and Lakers Control
After Jerry Buss died on February 18, 2013, his will gave Jeanie Buss controlling interest in the Lakers through a family trust structure. She became controlling owner and governor of the team, while her siblings controlled minority interests in the Lakers, Sparks, and Kings NBA.com. The trust structure was designed to keep the franchise within the Buss family while allowing professional management of the sports and entertainment assets.
The Lakers franchise has grown substantially in value since Jerry Buss's death, reaching over $6 billion in recent Forbes valuations and making it one of the most valuable sports teams in the world Forbes. Jeanie Buss father legacy includes not only the Lakers but also the development of the Crypto.com Arena,