Lakers Ownership Saga: Buss Family Pushes Back Against Proposed Sale to Kushner and Iger

The Los Angeles Lakers' ownership saga took a dramatic turn on Monday when Jeanie Buss, the team's controlling owner, announced her opposition to selling her remaining minority stake in the franchise to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. The proposed sale, which would have given Kushner and Iger a combined stake of around 83%, has sparked controversy among Lakers fans and raised questions about the motivations behind the deal.

Buss' lawyer sent a letter to law firms representing her siblings, Joey and Jesse Buss, stating that she had not agreed to sell the family's stake in the Lakers and any vote conducted on the matter would be deemed invalid. The letter also accused ESPN of publishing false information about the sale and alleged that Buss' siblings had leaked defamatory statements to the outlet's reporter Shams Charania.

The proposed sale comes after Mark Walter, the current owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Sparks, agreed to sell the Lakers to Kushner and Iger for $12.5 billion last week. The deal has raised concerns about the influence of Josh Kushner, a Democrat and brother of President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, on the team's ownership.

According to Forbes, the Lakers were valued at around $10 billion in January, when they ranked No. 18 on the magazine's list of the world's most profitable sports teams. The sale would have given Kushner and Iger a combined stake of around 83%, with Jeanie Buss losing her role as team governor under NBA rules requiring owners/governors to own at least 15% of a team.

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The timing of the investigation into Walter's business dealings has also sparked conspiracy theories, with some claiming that the federal inquiry may have benefited Kushner. However, the White House has denied any involvement between Josh Kushner and President Trump's administration.

Walter, who purchased the Lakers 14 months ago for $10 billion, has been facing scrutiny over his business dealings. The sale of the team has raised questions about why he would choose to sell now, particularly given the controversy surrounding the federal investigation into his business practices.

The proposed sale of the Lakers' minority stake is a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the team's ownership. With Jeanie Buss pushing back against the deal, it remains to be seen whether Kushner and Iger will be able to secure their stake in the franchise.