Lakers Rumors: The Buss Family Saga Continues with Latest Decision

In the latest bit of Lakers rumors, the Buss brothers have elected Jeanie Buss to the Lakers Board of Directors.

According to documents filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday, the Buss brothers have signed an agreement waiving the Lakers annual shareholders meeting and electing their sister and four others to the board of directors, as reported by Nathan Fenno of the LA Times. What is the significance of these Lakers rumors?

Jeanie Buss, the Lakers President, must be on the board of directors in order to remain the controlling owner of the team. Late last month, just days after she fired her brother Jim as President of Basketball Operations and named his rival Magic Johnson as his successor, Jim and Johnny attempted a coup when they scheduled a shareholders meeting with the intention of electing new board members. Jeanie’s name was not on the list of proposed members.

Jeanie felt this action was an attempt to remove her as controlling owner and promptly instructed her attorneys to file a restraining order to block the meeting. The restraining order was then withdrawn after the brothers canceled the meeting.

Along with Jeanie, Friday’s agreement named Joey Buss, President of the D-Fenders, Johnny Buss of JBU Photo, AEG President Dan Beckerman and Lakers CEO Francis Mariani to the board of directors, according to Fenno.

With this agreement, Jeanie will remain the controlling owner of the Lakers for another six months until the next shareholders meeting scheduled for December.

Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reports Jeanie’s attorneys are requesting that the court requires her brothers to “take all actions reasonably available to them” to ensure she elected to the board and remains controlling owner for the rest of her life.

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It’s clear to me why the late Jerry Buss chose Jeanie to lead his team. He gave her all the power and she is finally stepping up to the plate and using it. Firing her brother after his four dismal years as President of Basketball Operations had to be difficult but it had to be done. She gave him his fair shot when she could have replaced him at any time with her then-boyfriend Phil Jackson.

Jeanie is working hard to rebuild the Laker brand which has taken a hit and not seen much success of late. She understands the importance of fan support and loyalty and I believe will do what’s necessary to make the franchise great again.

With the recent hires of Johnson and new GM Rob Pelinka, she is demonstrating a willingness to think outside the box and do what’s needed to reshape her team.

She is the perfect mix of salty and sweet. Her kumbaya management style is refreshing in such a cutthroat business, but don’t let it fool you. She will not hesitate to drop the hammer and make the difficult calls when necessary.

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So, it seems that Queen Jeannie’s throne is safe for now – but I don’t think for a moment the drama is over.

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