Jeanie Buss Sends Warning to Siblings in Latest Lakers Drama as False Sale Report Stuns NBA World

A bombshell report claiming the Buss family had voted to sell its remaining 17.8% stake in the Lakers was quickly disputed by Jeanie Buss’ legal team, which accused her siblings of leaking false information to damage her control of the franchise.

NBA insider Shams Charania reported Monday that the Buss family intended to sell its minority stake to investor Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger. But Jeanie’s lawyer, Adam Streisand, swiftly refuted the claim in a letter uploaded by Underdog NBA on X.

"Shams Charania of ESPN falsely reported that the six Buss Siblings voted to sell the 17.8% ownership stake in the Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, and that my client, Jeanie Buss, is 'out' as controlling owner,

Streisand went further, accusing Joey and Jesse Buss of a “years‑long pattern” of leaking false information.

“This is just the latest instance of a years‑long pattern whereby Joey and Jesse Buss leak false, defamatory, and pernicious ‘information’ to Mr. Charania for the malicious purpose of doing harm to the Los Angeles Lakers so long as Dr. Buss’ chosen successor, Jeanie Buss, carries out her father’s wishes,” he wrote. The accusation suggests a deeper family rift over control of the franchise.

Streisand emphasized that any supposed vote was void. “No sale of the JAB Trust’s 17.8% ownership interest in the Los Angeles Lakers, Inc. can be effectuated without approval by the current co‑trustees, Jeanie, Janie, and Joey Buss.”

Without Jeanie’s approval, her siblings lack the power to sell, a structural safeguard that keeps her in control, at least for now.

What Shams Charania Reported

Charania’s report stated that Jeanie would lose her role as governor once the sale was completed, citing NBA rules requiring controlling owners to hold at least 15% of a franchise.

"Once the transaction is completed, Jeanie Buss will no longer have the needed ownership percentage to remain governor because NBA guidelines require controlling owners/governors to own at least 15% of a franchise," Charania wrote.

But Streisand argued Joey and Jesse Buss misled Charania. As of now, the Buss family has not officially sold its stake, and Jeanie remains governor and president of basketball operations.