The Los Angeles Lakers stand as one of the most iconic franchises in NBA history. They boast a remarkable 17 NBA championships to their name. Interestingly, their roots trace back to Minneapolis, not Los Angeles. Additionally, hinting at their past is that the NBA was known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) during the Lakers’ inaugural season. Furthermore, adding to their prestigious resume is a long list of legendary players. These include Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James.

A fascinating aspect of the Lakers is that nearly 16 Hall of Famers have worn the Lakers jersey at some point in their careers. Furthermore, an additional four Hall of Famers have coached the team. Today, with their illustrious history and numerous accolades, the Lakers are valued at over $5 billion.

Jerry Buss was offered 1 billion for the Lakers in 2003

When talking about the Lakers’ enduring legacy, Jeanie Buss comes in as the heartbeat and soul of the organization. However, this hasn’t always been the case. With over 75 years of existence, the Lakers have seen numerous influential figures guide their journey.

During a recent episode of The Athletic NBA Show, Jeanie Buss shared a captivating insight. Marcus (one of the co-hosts) posed a thought-provoking question to Jeanie. He enquired her regarding the process of determining the valuation for a grand franchise like the Lakers. In response, Jeanie recalled a moment from the 2003-04 period. “Well you know, my dad. I remember the first time he was offered a billion dollars for the Lakers.” Jeanie’s father, Jerry, was overlooking the Lakers at the time. Further, sharing his reaction, she said, “He just was so shocked by that. He couldn’t even imagine the team being worth that much.”

Despite the enormous offer, Buss declined it. Jeanie revealed that even if he had sold the franchise, Jerry would have aspired to buy back the Los Angeles Lakers with the newly acquired billion dollars.

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How did Jeanie Buss become Lakeshow’s owner?

The takeover of the Lakers by Jeanie Buss is one of the most compelling stories. Initially overlooked by her father in 1979, Jeanie assumed a majority role in 2013. However, it was not completely uncharted waters for Buss. From an early age, she immersed and ingrained into the fabric of the franchise.

Beginning with her education, Jeanie earned her business degree with honors from the University of Southern California (USC). During her teenage years, she ventured into the world of sports by becoming the general manager of TeamTennis. Following this stint, Jeanie acquired the Los Angeles Blades, a roller hockey team. 

In her mid-30s, Buss became the president of The Forum. Soon, she assumed the role of Alternate Governor on the NBA Board of Governors. Four years later, Jeanie climbed to the rank of executive vice president of business operations for the Lakers. 

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