Who Is Jeanie Buss?
Jeanie Marie Buss (born September 26, 1961 in Santa Monica, California) is an American sports executive best known as the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers. She’s also co-owner and promoter of the Women of Wrestling (WOW) promotion.
Early Life & Education
- Born: Sept 26, 1961 (currently 63)
- Family: Daughter of Lakers legend Jerry Buss and JoAnn Mueller. She has three siblings: Johnny, Jim, and Janie.
- Education: Graduated with honors in Business from USC.
- Early start: Attended tennis team meetings aged 14, became GM of the LA Strings at 19, and later owned the LA Blades roller-hockey team.
Professional Career
Non-Lakers Ventures
- GM of Los Angeles Strings (World Team Tennis) at 19.
- Owner of Los Angeles Blades, earning “Executive of the Year” honors from Roller Hockey International.
- Co-owner of WOW; secured a distribution deal with ViacomCBS in 2021, boosting female wrestling’s visibility.
Los Angeles Lakers
- Rose from President of Great Western Forum to EVP of business (1999).
- After Jerry Buss’ 2013 death, she became team president and Lakers’ Governor in NBA Board.
- First female controlling owner to take a team to an NBA championship (2020) — her sixth title overall.
- Battled sibling power struggles, sidelined her brother Jim in 2017, and secured lifetime operational control.
Awards & Achievements
- NBA Championships: 6 total — 5 as executive (2000–02, 2009, 2010), 1 as controlling owner (2020)
- 2023 NBA Cup: As owner
- 2023 Sports Emmy Award: Executive producer of Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers
Net Worth & Business Ventures
- Estimated net worth: ~$700 million
- Lakers stake: Owns ~11%; team valued at an estimated $6.5B, placing her stake at $715–750M
- Other income: Speaking engagements ($50–100k per corporate gig), endorsements (e.g. Coca‑Cola, AmEx), co-founded premium tequila Cincoro with Michael Jordan.
Personal Life
- Marital history:
- Married Steve Timmons (1990–93).
- Engaged (1999–2016) to Phil Jackson.
- Began dating Jay Mohr in 2021; engaged Dec 2022; wed Sept 3, 2023.
- Other tidbits: Featured in Playboy (May 1995), and has one secret half‑sibling, Lee, who was adopted.
Real Estate & Lifestyle
- Sold Playa Vista home in 2019 for $2.575M; bought Playa del Rey waterfront home for $2.6M in 2020.
- Known to own luxury vehicles including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls Royce Phantom, and Mercedes Maybach.
In Popular Culture
- Executive produced Legacy, a Hulu docuseries revisiting Lakers family dynasties and her father’s legacy.
- Co-developing a Netflix comedy series inspired by her life and Lakers office culture, in collaboration with Mindy Kaling.
Final Thoughts
Jeanie Buss stands as a trailblazing leader in sports—defying industry norms, navigating family turmoil, and achieving six NBA titles across roles. With a formidable business mindset, diversified ventures, and a $700M-plus net worth, she’s rewriting the playbook for women in sports ownership.
FAQs About Jeanie Buss
Q1. Who is Jeanie Buss?
A: Jeanie Buss is the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers. She is also a sports executive, entrepreneur, and promoter of Women of Wrestling (WOW).
Q2. How old is Jeanie Buss?
A: Jeanie Buss was born on September 26, 1961. As of 2025, she is 63 years old.
Q3. What is Jeanie Buss’s net worth?
A: Her estimated net worth is approximately $700 million, largely due to her stake in the Los Angeles Lakers and other business ventures.
Q4. What role does Jeanie Buss have with the Lakers?
A: She is the controlling owner and team president. She also represents the Lakers on the NBA Board of Governors.
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Q5. Did Jeanie Buss ever play sports professionally?
A: No, Jeanie Buss is not a professional athlete. She is a business executive and has managed various sports teams and venues.
Q6. Is Jeanie Buss married?
A: Yes, she married actor and comedian Jay Mohr in September 2023. She was previously married to volleyball player Steve Timmons and was once engaged to NBA coach Phil Jackson.
Q7. What other business ventures is Jeanie Buss involved in?
A: Apart from the Lakers, she co-owns WOW (Women of Wrestling) and co-founded the Cincoro Tequila brand with Michael Jordan and other NBA owners.
Q8. Has Jeanie Buss won any awards?
A: Yes, she has six NBA championships under her leadership and won a 2023 Sports Emmy for producing the Hulu docuseries Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers.
Q9. What is her educational background?
A: Jeanie Buss graduated with honors from the University of Southern California (USC) with a degree in business.
Q10. Where can I watch the docuseries about Jeanie Buss and the Lakers?
A: The docuseries “Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers” is available for streaming on Hulu.