THE BUSS FAMILY WANTS TO SELL ITS 17.8% STAKE
The shares would be sold based on a $12.5 billion valuation of the Lakers.
The Buss family has voted to sell its remaining 17.8% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, based on the same $12.5 billion valuation agreed upon by Mark Walter.
Five of Jeanie Buss’ siblings voted in favor of the sale, while Jeanie was the only sibling who did not support it.
JEANIE BUSS CHALLENGES THE VOTE
Her attorney argues that the sale cannot proceed without approval from the family trust’s co-trustees.
Through her attorney Adam Streisand, Jeanie Buss argues that the transaction cannot be completed without approval from the co-trustees Jeanie, Janie and Joey Buss.
Her lawyer has also demanded that the other five siblings publicly confirm that Jeanie Buss remains the Lakers’ Controlling Owner and take no action based on the vote.
JEANIE’S CONTROL OF THE LAKERS IS AT STAKE
The sale could affect the ownership percentage Jeanie needs to remain the franchise’s controlling owner.
The dispute could directly affect Jeanie Buss’ ability to remain the controlling owner of the Lakers.
When Mark Walter acquired his stake, Jeanie had an agreement allowing her to remain the team’s controlling owner through 2030.
Bob Iger has said he intends to honor that agreement, although he added:
“If something changes, then it changes.”
A NEW FAMILY RIFT
Two additional siblings joined the vote to sell after a previous attempt had only received support from three family members.
According to ESPN, the vote had already been open since last week. Following Walter’s agreement with Kushner and Iger, two more siblings joined the three who had previously supported selling the family’s remaining shares.
Jeanie Buss abstained.
THE BUSS FAMILY’S LAKERS LEGACY
The Buss family has owned the franchise since 1979 and has won 11 NBA championships during its ownership.
The Buss family acquired the Lakers in 1979, when Jerry Buss purchased the franchise from Jack Kent Cooke.
Since then, the Lakers have won 11 NBA championships, most recently in 2020, while recording 2,289 wins since the beginning of the 1979-80 season — the most of any NBA franchise over that span.
Commenta
Visualizza commenti