Five of Jeanie Buss\u2019 siblings filed a formal opposition Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court<\/strong> to her petition arguing that the Buss Family Trust<\/strong> cannot sell its stake in the Lakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss maintain that the trust can include its approximately 17.8% stake<\/strong> in the pending sale of the franchise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a statement, the five siblings described Jeanie\u2019s petition as legally and factually baseless<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhile discussions among the siblings continue, their focus remains on facilitating the proposed transaction and the Trust’s participation in it, while ensuring that all beneficiaries, including Jeanie, are treated equally.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n They added that Wednesday\u2019s filing was necessary to protect those interests and keep the transaction on schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dispute comes as a new ownership group prepares to acquire majority control of the Lakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A group led by Joshua Kushner<\/strong>, which includes former Disney CEO Bob Iger<\/strong>, agreed this summer to purchase Mark Walter\u2019s majority stake at a record $12.5 billion valuation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the Buss family sold control to Walter in 2025, it retained the right to \u201ctag along\u201d<\/strong> its shares in any subsequent sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The five siblings voted 5-0<\/strong> to exercise that right, while Jeanie abstained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeanie, Janie and Joey Buss currently serve as the trust\u2019s co-trustees<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeanie and her attorneys argue that the vote was invalid. She has also asked the court to remove Janie and Joey as trustees and hold all five siblings in contempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hearing is scheduled for December 8<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dispute could have major consequences for Jeanie Buss\u2019 position as Lakers governor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NBA rules require a governor to hold at least 15% of a team without partners<\/strong>. The family-ownership exception allows Jeanie to meet that requirement through the trust\u2019s stake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if the trust sells its shares as part of the current transaction, Jeanie would not be able to remain governor under the current arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeanie\u2019s attorneys are also relying on a 2017 ruling<\/strong>, issued after Jim and Johnny Buss attempted to remove her from the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her lawyers argue that the ruling requires the trust to keep Jeanie in power for life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
$12.5 billion Lakers sale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jeanie challenges the vote<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jeanie\u2019s Lakers governor position at stake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2017 ruling could be crucial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n