Major Blow for Jeanie Buss’ Lakers’ Governor Dream as Court Hearing Date Changes

The Los Angeles Superior Court in 2017 issued an order keeping Jeanie Buss in charge after an attempted coup by her brothers. That was supposed to be the end of it but the family drama continues as she fights to keep her role as team Governor.

According to league insider Sam Amico, her chances appear to slip further.

"Jeanie Buss is fighting in court to remain governor of the Lakers. She may not have many alternatives," Amico wrote for Hoops Wire. "Jeanie’s best chance of remaining Lakers governor may be stopping her siblings’ sale in the first place. That fight isn’t going anywhere, either. As we noted Friday, the first hearing has merely been postponed from Nov. 5 until Dec. 8."

The postponement was as a result of her attorney, Adam Streisand, requesting a delay. Per Khobi Price of The California Post, Streisand won't be available in the country and won't be back till Nov. 18, hence the request and its subsequent approval.

Jeanie Buss filed a five-claim petition in the LA Superior Court. She accused her siblings and co-trustees Janie and Joey Buss of "brazenly, knowingly and intentionally" violating the 2017 court order and the terms of the trust their late father established.

NBA rules require a controlling owner to hold at least 15% equity in a franchise. Her siblings - Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse - attempt to sell the family's 17.8% stake to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, will see her fall below that threshold and lose her governorship seat.

The petition also seeks to have Janie and Joey removed as co-trustees. She also prayed the court to find them in contempt for what she calls a "defiant" behavior.

“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, i.e., Jeanie, Janie and Joey Buss.” Any vote to the contrary, Streisand argued, “would be and is void.”

The five siblings so far appear united. They argue that Jeanie doesn't hold veto power over a majority vote among fellow co-trustees. She on the other hand argued that her siblings' actions are "not driven by financial necessity but by an animosity toward Jeanie" and in the willful discharge of he trust and the 2017 court order.

What the Delay Means for the Sale to Iger-Kushner and Jeanie Buss

Despite the family drama, new owner Bob Iger sought to reassure Jeanie of her position regardless of how the case resolves.

"We have enormous respect and appreciation for Jeanie, her father and what they've contributed to this franchise," Iger said, per the Post. "And we have every intention to honor the agreement that was made between Mark and Jeanie. If things change, they'll change, but we're going into this with enormous respect and appreciation for who she is and what she represents in the organization."

Mark Walter purchased the Lakers from the Buss family for $10 billion in June 2025. Closing any sale after one year of that purchase could see the embattled Walter reportedly save about $425 million through long-term capital gains tax treatment. Something he'll love to see happen following his own turmoils with federal authorities.

Any ownership transfer also requires approval from at least three-quarters of the NBA's 30 team governors. And that's a vote that might not take place while the leadership dispute drags on.

The Lakers start the new season on Oct. 20 under an unresolved leadership structure. The first substantive court hearing is now pushed till Dec. 8 with fans of the purple and gold having to wait for at least the season's opening six weeks to determine who's truly in charge.