As the team’s president and controlling owner, Los Angeles Lakers‘ Jeanie Buss is not just a familiar face courtside-she’s a savvy businesswoman who turned family legacy into a personal fortune. But how did Jeanie build her wealth? It’s a mix of inheritance, sharp instincts, and a knack for growing the Lakers brand into a global juggernaut.
Born in 1961 to Jerry Buss, the late Lakers owner, Jeanie grew up steeped in sports and business. Her dad bought the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5 million-a steal compared to today’s $6.5 billion valuation. “My dad saw opportunity where others didn’t,” Jeanie once said, reflecting on his real estate-to-sports empire pivot.
When Jerry passed in 2013, his 66% stake in the Lakers went to his six kids, with each snagging an 11% share. At the team’s current worth, that’s roughly $715 million per sibling-making Jeanie’s stake the cornerstone of her wealth.
But Jeanie’s fortune isn’t just a gift from dad. She’s been hustling since she was 19, when Jerry made her GM of the Los Angeles Strings tennis team. From there, she ran the Great Western Forum, the Lakers’ old stomping ground, and later became the team’s executive VP.
Jeanie Buss’ $700M fortune: Basketball, wrestling, and real estate
After Jerry’s death, she fought off a sibling power grab in 2017 to take full control. “I’m held accountable for every decision,” she told the Los Angeles Times, proving she’s no figurehead. Under her watch, the Lakers nabbed a 2020 NBA title and inked deals like the $5 billion Time Warner Cable TV contract.
Beyond basketball, Jeanie’s diversified her portfolio. She co-owns Women of Wrestling (WOW), landing a major syndication deal with ViacomCBS in 2021. Real estate’s in her blood too-her family’s investments include luxe properties like a Brentwood mansion, and she flipped a Playa Vista home for $2.575 million in 2019. Add in her Cincoro Tequila venture with Michael Jordan, and you’ve got a woman who knows how to stack cash.
Jeanie Buss, the powerhouse behind the Los Angeles Lakers, boasts a net worth of $700 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Jeanie’s net worth isn’t static-it grows with the Lakers’ value and her side hustles. Forbes pegs her as one of sports’ most influential women, and it’s clear why. From steering the Lakers through rough patches to expanding her reach, she’s turned a hefty inheritance into a thriving empire.
