Jeanie Buss, the woman behind the Los Angeles Lakers, has become a household name in the world of basketball. As a testament to her success, she holds the position of President and controlling owner of the Lakers, one of the most popular and successful teams in the NBA. With a remarkable career in sports management, she has broken down barriers and continues to prove that women can excel in a male-dominated industry. Let’s take a closer look at her early life, her journey to success, and her impressive net worth.
Net Worth: $500 Million
Date of Birth: Sep 26, 1961
Place of Birth: Santa Monica
Gender: Female
Profession: Businesswoman
Jeanie Buss Early Life
Born on September 26, 1961, in Santa Monica, California, Jeanie Marie Buss grew up with an inherent love for sports. She is the daughter of the late Jerry Buss, a real estate mogul and former owner of the Lakers, who purchased the team in 1979. Jeanie’s passion for basketball was nurtured from a young age, as she often accompanied her father to games and was privy to the ins and outs of the sports business.
She attended the University of Southern California, where she studied business and graduated with a degree in 1985. While still in college, she took on a role in the family business as the general manager of the Los Angeles Strings, a team in the now-defunct TeamTennis league. This early experience gave her valuable insight into the world of sports management, and she continued to hone her skills as she took on greater responsibilities.
In 1993, she began working for the Lakers as an executive, where she played a crucial role in managing the team’s business operations. In 1999, she was named executive vice president of business operations, a position that allowed her to make an even more significant impact on the team’s success. Through hard work, dedication, and a keen understanding of the business, Jeanie eventually became the controlling owner of the Lakers in 2013, following her father’s death.
Jeanie Buss Personal Life
Jeanie Buss has always maintained a relatively private personal life, despite her high-profile career. However, some aspects of her life have been well-documented in the media. She was previously engaged to former Lakers coach and NBA Hall of Famer Phil Jackson, with whom she had a long-term relationship. The couple dated for over a decade before announcing their engagement in 2013, but they eventually called it off in 2016, citing their respective professional responsibilities and the geographical distance as reasons for their decision. Despite their breakup, Jeanie and Phil have maintained a strong friendship and continue to support each other in their personal and professional lives.
In addition to her relationships, Jeanie is known for her close bond with her family. She has four siblings, and together they are all involved in the Lakers organization. This family-oriented approach has played a significant role in shaping the Lakers’ culture and fostering a sense of unity and loyalty within the franchise.
Jeanie Buss Career
Jeanie Buss’s career in sports management has been marked by several significant milestones and accomplishments. As the President and controlling owner of the Lakers, she has overseen the team’s operations both on and off the court. Her tenure has been marked by her commitment to excellence and her ability to make tough decisions for the betterment of the organization.
One of the most significant moves in her career came in 2017 when she decided to shake up the Lakers’ front office. She replaced her brother, Jim Buss, as the head of basketball operations and brought in NBA legend Magic Johnson to serve as the team’s President of Basketball Operations. This move signaled a new era for the Lakers and set the stage for the franchise’s return to prominence.
Under Jeanie’s leadership, the Lakers have made several strategic moves to build a championship-caliber team. They signed superstar LeBron James in 2018, and in 2019, they traded for All-Star forward Anthony Davis. These acquisitions paid off, as the Lakers won their 17th NBA championship in 2020, tying them with the Boston Celtics for the most championships in NBA history.
Jeanie Buss’s impact on the Lakers organization goes beyond her decisions in the front office. She has been a vocal advocate for women in sports and has made it a priority to create an inclusive and diverse environment within the Lakers organization. She has hired several women for key positions within the franchise, setting an example for other teams and organizations to follow.
Her success in sports management has garnered recognition from her peers and the media. In 2020, she was named to the Sports Business Journal’s list of the “Most Influential People in Sports Business,” an acknowledgment of her significant impact on the industry.
Jeanie Buss Net Worth
Jeanie Buss’s net worth is estimated to be around $500 million as of 2023, making her one of the wealthiest women in sports. Much of her wealth comes from her ownership stake in the Lakers and her various other business ventures.
Under Jeanie’s leadership, the Lakers’ value has skyrocketed. According to Forbes, the team is currently valued at around $5.5 billion, making it the second most valuable franchise in the NBA, just behind the New York Knicks. This impressive growth can be attributed to Jeanie’s unwavering commitment to the team’s success and her business acumen.
In addition to the Lakers, Jeanie also has ownership stakes in other sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA and the Los Angeles Football Club of Major League Soccer. These investments have further solidified her status as a powerful figure in the world of sports.
Jeanie’s wealth is not just a reflection of her success in sports management, but also of her dedication to philanthropy. She has been actively involved in various charitable organizations and initiatives throughout her career, focusing on causes such as children’s health, education, and the environment.
