Incoming Los Angeles Lakers owners Bob Iger and Josh Kushner intend to keep Jeanie Buss in her role as team Governor following their $12.5 billion purchase of the franchise from Mark Walter.
The arrangement was originally established when Walter acquired the Lakers from the Buss family at a then-record $10 billion valuation.
As part of that deal, Buss was expected to remain Governor for at least five years.
“We have enormous respect and appreciation for Jeanie, her father and what they’ve contributed to this franchise,” Iger told the California 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.”
Iger and Kushner completed the agreement to purchase Walter’s majority stake within three business days after learning he could be interested in selling.
The two had previously been exploring ownership opportunities connected to a potential NBA expansion team in Las Vegas.
Since reaching the deal, Iger said he has spoken with Buss and Lakers head coach JJ Redick, although he has yet to talk with star guard Luka Doncic.
Iger added that he and Kushner have not made any major decisions about the Lakers’ future yet, noting that the ownership change is still very recent.
Jeanie Buss To Remain Governor Of Lakers Despite Sale To Kushner-Iger https://t.co/4B3TYQa9H5
— RealGM (@RealGM) August 12, 2026
