Jeanie Buss will continue serving as the governor of the Los Angeles Lakers for a minimum of five more years, according to a team source speaking to The Athletic.
This assurance comes following the recent agreement by the Buss family to sell their controlling stake in the storied NBA franchise to billionaire Mark Walters.
Though the Lakers’ sale, valued at a staggering $10 billion, raised questions about how long Buss would maintain her role, the terms of the deal between Walters, Buss, and the NBA specifically allow her to remain at the helm for the foreseeable future.
Her continued leadership mirrors a similar arrangement seen in Boston, where former Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck is staying on as governor temporarily after the team’s recent sale.
Jeanie Buss officially became governor of the Lakers in 2013 following the passing of her father, longtime team owner Dr. Jerry Buss. Initially, she kept then-general manager Mitch Kupchak and her brother Jim Buss in charge of basketball operations.
However, in 2017, she made a decisive leadership change, relieving them of their duties and appointing Lakers legend Magic Johnson alongside Rob Pelinka to guide the franchise’s basketball decisions.
Most recently, Buss demonstrated continued confidence in the Lakers’ front office by signing Pelinka to a contract extension, signaling her commitment to long-term stability and competitiveness even amid changes at the ownership level.
Jeanie Buss To Remain Governor Of Lakers For At Least Five More Seasons https://t.co/azJvjmIujk
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 9, 2025
