Jeanie Buss: News | Kids | LeBron James | Phil Jackson

Jeanie Buss stands as one of the most influential figures in modern NBA history — a pioneering executive who not only commanded respect in a male-dominated industry but also carried the legacy of the Los Angeles Lakers into a new era. From her dynamic leadership style to her relationships with icons like LeBron James and the legendary Phil Jackson, Buss’s story is rich with triumph, complexity, and controversy. In this in-depth article, we explore the latest developments surrounding Jeanie Buss, her family and kids, the intricate dynamics with LeBron James, and her past romance with Phil Jackson.

1. Who Is Jeanie Buss? A Quick Overview

Jeanie Marie Buss, born on September 26, 1961, in Santa Monica, California, is the governor and former controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers — one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. She is the daughter of Jerry Buss, the Lakers’ legendary owner who transformed the team into a basketball and cultural powerhouse.

Buss began her career in sports management at the age of 19, when she took a managerial role with the Los Angeles Strings tennis team before eventually owning roller hockey’s Los Angeles Blades. Following her father’s passing in 2013, Jeanie assumed full control of the Lakers organization, becoming the team’s president and governor — a historic position for a woman in professional sports.

Under her leadership, the Lakers have remained one of the NBA’s most recognizable franchises, winning the 2020 NBA Championship — making Buss the first female controlling owner to lead a team to an NBA title.

2. The Latest News: Jeanie Buss in 2026

Tensions with LeBron James

In early 2026, reports emerged detailing growing tension between Jeanie Buss and Lakers superstar LeBron James — a relationship that was once viewed as foundational for the franchise’s future. According to recent reports, Buss privately questioned James’s influence after several pivotal moments, including the controversial 2021 Russell Westbrook trade and what she perceived as a lack of gratitude following the Lakers’ decision to draft James’s son, Bronny, in 2024.

Buss has addressed these reports publicly, pushing back against the suggestion that she doesn’t appreciate James’s contributions — and reaffirming that she would like to see him finish his career as a Laker.

Lakers Sale & Organizational Shift

The Lakers — once owned by the Buss family since 1979 — are transitioning into a new era after agreeing to a historic $10 billion majority sale to billionaire investor Mark Walter. While the Buss family retains minority equity, Jeanie Buss will continue as governor, maintaining her influential role in team operations even as leadership structures evolve.

This transition marks both the end of a family dynasty and the beginning of a new chapter for the Lakers — with implications for team strategy, roster decisions, and organizational culture.

3. Jeanie Buss’s Kids and Family Legacy

Though Jeanie Buss does not frequently spotlight her children, her role as a mother is quietly woven into her professional narrative — particularly as it intersects with league dynamics involving LeBron James and his son, Bronny. The 2024 draft moment when the Lakers selected Bronny James added a deeply personal dimension to Buss’s legacy — one that intersected complexly with her relationship with LeBron.

Buss’s family legacy extends beyond her own children. The Buss family trust originally divided control of the Lakers equally among the six children of Jerry Buss, with Jeanie eventually consolidating operational control after internal disputes.

Her leadership decisions — including firing a sibling from management roles and navigating trust complexities — have significantly shaped the team’s direction leading up to the franchise’s landmark sale.

4. Relationship With LeBron James: Alliance, Tension, and Legacy

Jeanie Buss’s relationship with LeBron James has evolved over the years — from mutual respect to reported tension.

Early Cooperation and Success

When James signed with the Lakers in 2018, it energized a franchise that had struggled in previous seasons. Alongside Anthony Davis, James led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA Championship — a defining moment in Buss’s tenure and one that solidified their professional partnership.

Rising Tensions

According to recent reports:

• Buss reportedly grew frustrated after the Russell Westbrook trade didn’t produce the expected success, partly blaming James for pushing the deal.

• The decision to draft Bronny James in 2024 — a rare father-son moment in NBA history — added emotional complexity, albeit with differing interpretations of gratitude and expectation.

• Buss has publicly refuted claims that she undervalues James’s contributions but has had to quash narratives linking him to family drama.

Despite these tensions, James remains one of the most influential Lakers ever — and Buss’s leadership has often revolved around maximizing his talents in pursuit of championships.

5. Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss: An NBA Love Story

Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson were one of the NBA’s most talked-about couples during the 2000s and 2010s. Jackson — a coaching icon renowned for leading the Chicago Bulls and Lakers to multiple championships — was in a long-term relationship with Buss that ended in 2016.

Romance Under Pressure

Their engagement was highly publicized and deeply intertwined with Lakers history:

• Fans and media often linked their relationship to team decisions due to Jackson’s legendary status as a coach.

• In his memoir, Jackson described how league pressures and perceived conflicts about team management strained their relationship, ultimately contributing to their breakup.

Despite the end of their engagement, the relationship remains a fascinating footnote in both of their legacies — blending personal emotions with one of the NBA’s most successful coaching philosophies.

6. Jeanie Buss’s Legacy and Leadership Style

Jeanie Buss is widely recognized for her bold decision-making and competitive spirit:

• She made difficult roster and executive decisions — including letting go of family members involved in team operations — to uphold her vision of Lakers excellence.

• Buss has also embraced media projects like the Hulu documentary and inspired fictional portrayals that highlight the challenges of running a sports dynasty.

• Beyond basketball, she is co-owner of Women of Wrestling (WOW), expanding her influence into broader sports and entertainment markets.

Her resilience, business acumen, and willingness to break barriers make her one of the most compelling executives in sports today.

7. What’s Next for Jeanie Buss and the Lakers?

The Lakers face a future shaped by new ownership, evolving player relationships, and high expectations:

• The franchise must balance its rich legacy with fresh strategic leadership under Mark Walter’s guidance.

• Jeanie Buss will likely remain central to major decisions, especially concerning marquee players like LeBron James — even as his career edges toward its twilight.

• With younger stars rising and the legacy of Kobe Bryant still woven into the fabric of Lakers culture, Buss’s vision will continue to be tested.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Who is Jeanie Buss?
A: Jeanie Buss is the governor and former controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, known for her historic role in NBA leadership and her family’s long association with the Lakers franchise.

Q2. What is Jeanie Buss’s relationship with LeBron James?
A: Buss and James had a collaborative relationship centered on championship aspirations, but recent reports indicate tension over team decisions and perceived ingratitude related to draft actions involving Bronny James.

Q3. Did Jeanie Buss date Phil Jackson?
A: Yes. Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson were in a long-term relationship and were engaged for several years before ending their engagement in 2016, amid pressures related to NBA team dynamics.

Q4. What role do Jeanie Buss’s children play in the Lakers organization?
A: While Buss’s own children are more private, her extended family’s legacy — through the Buss family trust — played a significant part in the Lakers’ ownership structure and eventual sale.

Q5. What’s next for the Lakers under Jeanie Buss’s leadership?
A: The Lakers are transitioning under new majority ownership with Jeanie Buss continuing as governor — focusing on sustaining competitive excellence and cultivating the franchise’s historic legacy.