Jeanie Buss is expected to remain the Los Angeles Lakers’ team governor after Mark Walter’s recent purchase of a majority stake in the franchise. However, recent events around the NBA suggest that this situation will not last. The Boston Celtics provide a striking example of how quickly longtime governors are replaced once new owners step in.
Shams Charania recently reported on Xthat Wyc Grousbeck, who was initially expected to stay on as Celtics governor through 2028, is stepping down much sooner than planned. Bill Chisholm, the new owner, is taking control almost immediately.
This rapid leadership change contradicts the usual expectations around ownership transitions and serves as a clear warning for Lakers fans watching their own team’s ownership shakeup. The Lakers’ situation is similar.
Mark Walter’s acquisition means the Buss family now holds roughly 15% of the team’s ownership. Walter will assume majority control.
Jeanie Buss is on the clock whether she knows it or not
Officially, Jeanie Buss remains the governor, the person who manages the team’s day-to-day operations. The Lakers have not enjoyed much stability in recent years. Coaching changes, roster decisions, and inconsistent success have all contributed to fan frustration.
Many see Buss as part of the problem. This move by the Celtics not only gives fans a reason to smile but also provides a growing hope that their new ownership will bring new leadership.
This kind of turnover is not really unusual in the NBA. The Dallas Mavericks offer a good comparison.
When Mark Cuban sold controlling interest to the Adelson family last year, he assumed he would keep running the team. Yet new governor Patrick Dumont took charge before the season ended.
Dumont was now overseeing major decisions. This included trading Luka Doncic in a stunning swap with Lakers’ Anthony Davis, despite Cuban’s objections.
Walter’s case is somewhat unique because he has been a minority owner and worked closely with Buss, which could delay a leadership change. Continuity might be part of the plan initially.
Billion-dollar investments rarely come with the intention of handing over control to others for long. That is especially true when you have someone as competitive as Walter in charge.
Buss remains in charge for now, but the Celtics’ example suggests her time at the top may be limited. New ownership almost always brings change, especially when it involves such significant investments.
The Lakers have been clearly preparing for a new era. That new era will almost certainly come with fresh leadership whether fans are ready for it or not.
We have seen the team prepare themselves to properly move on from LeBron James by handing the keys to their new superstar, Doncic. So, who knows? Anything can happen.