After a record-breaking sale of the Lakers at a $10 billion valuation, it appears new majority owner Mark Walter is moving further away from the Buss family.
Brothers Joey and Jesse Buss told ESPN on Thursday that they’ve been fired from the Lakers after 20 years in the organization formerly owned by their dad, Jerry.
Joey was the Lakers’ alternate governor and vice president of research and development, while Jesse was an assistant general manager.
The two indicated they were not happy with how their exits were handled.
“We are extremely honored to have been part of this organization for the last 20 seasons,” the brothers told ESPN in a statement. “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.”
Jesse seemed to point the finger at their sister, Jeanie, who remains the team’s governor.
“Dr. Buss’ idea was for Joey and I to run basketball operations one day,” Jesse Buss told ESPN. “But Jeanie has effectively kept herself in place with her siblings fired.”
Walter, who also owns the Dodgers, reached a deal with the Buss family in June to acquire a majority stake in the Lakers, which valued the team at $10 billion, a record for a professional sports team in the United States.
The deal, which was approved last month, allowed Jeanie Buss to remain the Lakers’ governor for at least the next five years.
Joey and Jesse — who will retain their minority ownership stakes, per ESPN — had been involved in scouting over the past 10 years. Joey was team president and CEO of the G League South Bay Lakers, and Jesse was the director of scouting.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports, defined by a history of excellence and the relentless pursuit of greatness,” Walter said in a statement after the sale was approved. “Few teams carry the legacy and global influence of the Lakers, and it’s a privilege to work alongside Jeanie Buss as we maintain that excellence and set the standard for success in this new era, both on and off the court.”
