Jeanie Buss facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jeanie Buss
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Buss in 2016
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Jeanie Marie Buss
September 26, 1961 Santa Monica, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | President of the Los Angeles Lakers Co-owner of the Women of Wrestling promotion. |
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| Partner(s) | Phil Jackson (1999–2016) |
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| Awards | Six-time NBA champion NBA Cup (2023) 2023 Sports Emmy Award |
Jeanie Marie Buss (born September 26, 1961) is an American sports leader. She is the main owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers. This is a famous basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). She also helps own and promote Women of Wrestling (WOW), a professional wrestling company for women.
Jeanie is the daughter of Jerry Buss, who used to own the Lakers. She started working in her family's sports businesses when she was very young. At just 19, she became the general manager of a professional tennis team. Later, she bought a roller hockey team. She also led the Great Western Forum, the Lakers' old home arena.
After her father passed away in 2013, his ownership of the Lakers went to his six children. Jeanie became the team's president. In 2020, she made history. She became the first female main owner to lead her team to an NBA championship. This win gave her six NBA titles in total as an owner or executive.
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Early Life and Learning
Jeanie Buss was born in Santa Monica, California. She was one of four children to Joann and Jerry Buss. Her parents divorced when she was 10 years old.
When she was 14, Jeanie started going to tennis meetings with her father. He owned the Los Angeles Strings tennis team. At 17, she moved in with her father. She even gave tours of their home, Pickfair. Jeanie went to the University of Southern California (USC). She studied business there and graduated with honors.
Her Career in Sports
In 1981, Jeanie's father owned the Los Angeles Strings tennis team again. He made 19-year-old Jeanie the general manager. She was still studying at USC at the time.
After the tennis team ended in 1993, Jeanie brought professional roller hockey to Los Angeles. She owned a team called the Los Angeles Blades. The league even named her "Executive of the Year." Jeanie also spent four years as president of the Great Western Forum. This was the arena where the Lakers played their home games.
Her role with the Lakers grew over time. Since 1995, she has been an Alternate Governor on the NBA Board of Governors. In 1999, she became the executive vice president of business operations for the Lakers. Her brother, Jim, handled the basketball side of the team. Their father wanted Jeanie to manage the business and Jim to manage the players.
In 2005, Sporting News called Jeanie Buss one of the "Top 20 Most Influential Women in Sports." Forbes magazine also recognized her in 2011. They called her "one of few powerful women in sports management." ESPN said she is "one of the most powerful women in the NBA."
Leading the Lakers
When her father passed away in 2013, his ownership of the Lakers went to his six children. Each child got an equal vote. Jeanie took over her father's role as the Lakers' governor. She also became the team's representative at NBA meetings.
In the 2013–14 season, she became the president of the Lakers. She continued to lead the team's business operations. She also started overseeing the basketball operations with her brother Jim.
On February 21, 2017, Jeanie made big changes. She removed Mitch Kupchak as General Manager. Her brother Jim also resigned as VP of Basketball Operations. Jeanie then brought in Magic Johnson as President of Basketball Operations. Johnson was a famous Lakers player. She then hired Rob Pelinka to be the new general manager.
Women of Wrestling
Besides her work with the Lakers, Jeanie Buss also owns WOW-Women Of Wrestling. On October 6, 2021, a big announcement was made. ViacomCBS agreed to distribute WOW shows for several years. This deal made WOW the largest media platform for women's wrestling in U.S. history.
Personal Life
Jeanie Buss married volleyball player Steve Timmons in 1990. They divorced three years later.
She started dating then-Lakers coach Phil Jackson in 1999. They got engaged in 2013. However, they announced the end of their engagement in December 2016. Even after their breakup, Jeanie still asked Phil for advice about the Lakers.
In September 2021, Jeanie announced she was in a relationship with comedian Jay Mohr. They had reportedly been dating since 2017. They announced their engagement in December 2022. On September 3, 2023, they got married in a private ceremony.
Awards and Honors
NBA
- Six-time NBA champion
- Five times as part of the Lakers' front office (2000–2002, 2009, 2010)
- One time as the main owner (2020)
- 2023 NBA Cup winner (as owner of the Lakers)
Sports Emmy Awards
- 2023 Outstanding Documentary Series (as executive producer of Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers)
Images for kids
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Buss in 2009
See also
In Spanish: Jeanie Buss para niños
