Jeanie Marie Buss, born on September 26, 1961, is an American sports executive the controlling owner and president of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, and co-owner of Women of Wrestling (WOW).
Initially joining the family business at 19 as general manager of the Los Angeles Strings tennis team, she later purchased the Los Angeles Blades roller hockey team and served as president of the Great Western Forum.
Following her father Jerry Buss’s death in 2013, she inherited controlling ownership of the Lakers, becoming the NBA’s first female controlling owner to win a championship in 2020.
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Jeanie Buss’s Net Worth
Jeanie Buss, with a net worth of $700 million, is the president and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. She is the daughter of the late Jerry Buss, former owner of the Lakers. Upon Jerry’s passing in 2013, Jeanie and her five siblings inherited a 66% stake in the Lakers.
In 2017, they unanimously agreed to give Jeanie full control over Lakers decisions, although all siblings still hold equal 11% stakes in the team. With the Lakers valued at $6.5 billion, each sibling’s stake is approximately worth $715 million.
Education
Jeanie Buss, born in Santa Monica, California, was the third of Joann and Jerry Buss’s four children, with siblings Johnny, Jim, and Janie. After her parents divorced in 1972, she felt a sense of emotional abandonment.
By 14, she was attending World Team Tennis meetings with her father, owner of the Los Angeles Strings. At 17, she moved into Pickfair, her father’s estate, becoming so acquainted with it that she conducted tours. Buss later attended the University of Southern California, majoring in business and graduating with honors.
Career
Jeanie Buss, appointed by her father at 19 as general manager of World TeamTennis‘s Los Angeles Strings, later managed the Los Angeles Blades in Roller Hockey International, earning Executive of the Year. She served as president of the Great Western Forum and became the Lakers’ Executive VP of Business Operations in 1999.
After inheriting control of the Lakers in 2013, she became the team’s president, overseeing both business and basketball operations. In 2017, she replaced her brother Jim with Magic Johnson as President of Basketball Operations. Buss also owns WOW-Women Of Wrestling, which secured a major distribution deal with ViacomCBS in 2021.
Personal life
Jeanie Buss married volleyball player Steve Timmons in 1990 but divorced in 1993, prioritizing her business interests. She posed nude in Playboy in 1995 and began dating Phil Jackson in 1999, getting engaged but eventually splitting in 2016. Post-breakup, she still consulted Jackson on Lakers’ matters.
In December 2018, a person named Lee, claiming to be Buss’s secret sibling from her father’s earlier relationship, reached out to connect with the family. Jeanie Buss announced her relationship with comedian Jay Mohr in 2021, whom she started dating in 2017. They got engaged in 2022 and married in a private Malibu ceremony in 2023
What is Jeanie Buss known for?
Beyond her birthright, Jeanie Buss has carved her niche. Celebrated for guiding the Lakers to numerous NBA championships, she’s an embodiment of leadership. Turning 62, her journey is a testament to her role as a trailblazer for women in the often male-dominated world of sports.
Conclusion
Through dedication, vision, and an unwavering commitment, Jeanie Buss’s net worth is a symbol of her achievements. Beyond the dollar value, her story inspires many, proving that with passion and perseverance, the sky’s the limit.
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FAQs about Jeanie Buss Net Worth
- What exemplifies Jeanie Buss’s financial prowess? An impressive net worth of $500 million speaks volumes.
- When did the Lakers’ torch pass to Jeanie? The Lakers found a new leader in Jeanie Buss in 2013, post her father’s demise.
- Can you recount Jeanie’s marital journey? Once married to volleyball pro Steve Timmons (1990-1993), Jeanie is now happily wed to comedian Jay Mohr since 2023.
- How did Jeanie Buss climb the corporate ladder? From managing a tennis team at 19 to presiding over the Lakers, Jeanie’s ascent is awe-inspiring.
- Who made the pivotal sale of the Lakers to the Buss family? The torch was passed when Jack Kent Cooke sold the Lakers to Dr. Jerry Buss in 1979.
