This is a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers; the Buss family doesn’t control the franchise for the first time in 46 years. Following a sale to Mark Walter at a $10 billion valuation, the majority share now belongs to someone else. And while Jeanie Buss is still involved with the team, the Buss brothers have been fired by the Lakers.
Jesse and Joey Buss are Jeanie’s younger brothers. Sons of the late Dr. Jerry Buss, they have worked in the team’s front office for years. Joey, 41, was the alternate governor and vice president of research and development. Jesse, 37, was the assistant general manager and director of scouting.
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As of Thursday, though, both brothers have been terminated by the Lakers. Shams Charania broke the news.
Statement from Joey and Jesse Buss: “We are extremely honored to have been part of this organization for the last 20 seasons. Thank you to Laker Nation for embracing our family every step of the way. We wish things could be different with the way our time ended with the team. At… https://t.co/2w3vjXWZ98
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 20, 2025
“The Los Angeles Lakers are reorganizing their basketball operations department and terminating executives Joey and Jesse Buss from their respective front office positions, effective immediately,” Charania wrote on X.
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“We are extremely honored to have been part of this organization for the last 20 seasons,” the brothers’ statement read. “Thank you to Laker Nation for embracing our family every step of the way.
“We wish things could be different with the way our time ended with the team. At times like this, we wish we could ask our Dad what he would think about it all.”
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Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic talks with team co-owner Jeanie Buss following a press conference. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Jeanie will reportedly remain operating governor for at least five years as a part of the deal. Luka Doncic has just entered his prime, and the franchise’s NBA future is bright. The Buss brothers won’t be involved in basketball, but retain their minority ownership shares in the team.
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