Born on September 26, 1961,[1] Jeanie Marie Buss is an American sports executive who serves as president and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as co-owner and promoter of Women of Wrestling (WOW), the U.S. women’s professional wrestling promotion.
she joined her family’s business at the age of 19 as general manager of the Los Angeles Strings professional tennis team. Jerry Buss was her father, and he controlled the Lakers and other sports companies. Subsequently, she acquired the Los Angeles Blades, a roller hockey professional club. Prior to joining the Lakers as vice president, she was president of the Great Western Forum. Following her father’s death in 2013, a family trust gave his six children controlling ownership of the Lakers.
Every sibling casts an equal number of votes. Buss assumed leadership of the organization and the Lakers’ seat on the NBA Board of Governors. Her six NBA titles as an owner/executive include her 2020 NBA Championship, making her the first female controlling owner to lead her club to victory.[4]
Californian born in Santa Monica,[1] Growing up, Buss shared her childhood with elder brothers Johnny and Jim an younger sister Janie. She was the third of four children born to Joann and Jerry Buss, and one of two females. When their parents separated in 1972, Buss felt abandoned on an emotional level.[5] When Buss was fourteen years old, she went to World Team Tennis matches with her father, the Los Angeles Strings owner. She moved home with her father at Pickfair when she was seventeen. She gave tours of the estate because she was so knowledgeable about it. Buss majored in business and graduated with honors from the University of Southern California (USC), where she attended college.
