Jeanie Buss kicked the can down the road, pushing the already messy Lakers family ownership fight even further into the future. That court date to settle the petition against her siblings’ sale of their stake in the team? It’s now Dec. 8, moved from its original November slot after Jeanie’s attorneys filed for a continuance. This whole saga just keeps dragging on.
The “Devious” Accusations That Sparked The Showdown
Jeanie isn’t pulling any punches here, folks. In her petition, which first dropped way back in August, she outright labeled her siblings “devious” and wants co-trustees Joey and Janie booted from their positions. Can you believe the language? Talk about family squabbles hitting the big leagues! Jeanie’s whole argument hinges on that 2017 ruling, the one that basically said the trustees need to do whatever it takes to keep her as the controlling owner. That’s her cornerstone, right there. But hold up, her siblings aren’t just taking that lying down. Their comeback? Everyone, Jeanie included, agreed to a “tag-along clause” a year before any sale talks, and since that was the more recent agreement, they argue it should be the one that counts. It’s a classic legal showdown, a battle over who gets the final say. Interestingly, the team’s other minority owners are actually backing Jeanie, choosing not to sell their shares. You’d think that would mean something big, but honestly, the court documents say their involvement likely won’t change much in the grand scheme of things for this specific case. It’s a lot of noise, but maybe not much legal impact.
This Mess Won’t Stop Other Deals, But It Sure Is Stalling the Main Event
Now, you might be thinking this whole Buss family drama is putting other deals on ice, but not so fast. The sale of Mark Walter’s shares to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner is still likely to become official *before* Jeanie’s family beef is settled. Remember when Walter agreed to buy the team from the Buss family back on June 18, and that deal officially closed by October 30? That was about a four-month turnaround. If this new sale follows a similar timeline, we’re looking at it becoming official around mid-December. So, while that specific deal keeps moving, this deep-seated family drama, with Jeanie fighting her siblings, isn’t going anywhere fast. This continuance, pushing the hearing to Dec. 8, means we are definitely not close to seeing the end of this incredibly complex ownership saga. We thought November was the next big date for answers, but now it’s just more waiting.
So, mark your calendars for Dec. 8, because that’s when this saga gets its next chapter. What’s truly at stake here? The core of the Lakers’ ownership and who really calls the shots moving forward. This isn’t just a family argument; it’s about the direction of one of the league’s most storied franchises, and it looks like we’re settling in for a very long ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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