Category: Finance | Title: The Buss Family and the Los Angeles Lakers Ownership Structure | Tag: Lakers Ownership | Meta Description: Facts on the Buss family, their controlling stake in the Lakers, and the trust structure guiding the franchise...
Buss Family Ownership and Control of the Lakers
The Buss family controls the Los Angeles Lakers through a combination of direct shareholdings and a revocable trust framework. Dr. Jerry Buss, the former owner, held the controlling interest before his death in 2013, and his six children inherited the bulk of his stake. The family trust, often referred to as the Buss Family Trust, remains the primary entity holding the franchise and operating the team, with the children serving as trustees and beneficiaries Forbes.
The trust structure allows the family to maintain unified control while individual members pursue separate business interests. The Lakers are classified as a private, family-controlled sports and entertainment asset, meaning the trust can make decisions on operations, branding, and facility strategy without a public market for shares. This structure limits external shareholder pressure and keeps financial details within the trust's private reporting framework SEC EDGAR.
Trust Structure, Governance, and Key Family Roles
Under the trust, the six adult children of Jerry Buss serve as co-trustees and primary beneficiaries, with each holding an undivided interest in the family's stake. The trust document outlines voting rights, management authority, and succession rules, though the exact terms remain private. Public filings and interviews indicate that major decisions, such as the sale or relocation of the team, require agreement among the trustees or a defined supermajority threshold Forbes.
Individual family members have taken on executive and advisory roles within the Lakers organization and related ventures. Some children focus on real estate, entertainment, and philanthropy, while others participate directly in team governance. The trust appoints a management team for day-to-day operations, but the ultimate strategic direction remains with the family trustees, who coordinate through private meetings and legal counsel SEC.
Financial Impact, Valuation, and Revenue Streams
The Lakers consistently rank among the most valuable franchises in the NBA and global sports. Forbes estimates the franchise value based on revenue, operating income, and comparable transactions, placing the Lakers in the top tier of NBA teams Forbes. The family benefits from national media rights, local broadcasting deals, ticket sales, luxury suite revenue, and licensing agreements tied to the Lakers brand.
Revenue streams include the Staples Center lease and naming rights, partnerships with regional sports networks, and merchandise sales. The trust structure allows the family to reinvest profits into the team, facilities, and new ventures without public disclosure of individual distributions. As the NBA's media rights deals evolve, the Buss family's share of national and local revenue will depend on the trust's governance decisions and the league's collective bargaining agreements SEC EDGAR.