Jeanie Buss, president and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, stands among the most influential figures in professional sports today. With a commanding presence in a male-dominated industry, she has redefined leadership in basketball and sports entertainment. As of 2025, Jeanie Buss has an estimated net worth of $700 million, a figure that reflects not just inheritance but decades of sharp business moves and visionary sports management.
Early Life and Family Legacy
Born on September 26, 1961, in Santa Monica, California, Jeanie Marie Buss was destined to be part of the sports world. Her father, the late Jerry Buss, was a real estate mogul and the iconic owner of the Lakers. He turned the franchise into one of the most valuable and recognizable brands in global sports.
From a young age, Jeanie was exposed to the business and competitive sides of professional sports. At just 19 years old, she took on the role of general manager for the Los Angeles Strings, a professional tennis team in World Team Tennis. It was a baptism by fire into sports management and signaled her intent to follow in her father’s entrepreneurial footsteps.
She later became owner of the Los Angeles Blades, a roller hockey team, and president of the Great Western Forum, the Lakers’ home arena at the time. These experiences shaped her ability to manage both the operations and public perception of a professional sports entity—skills that would become essential later in her career.
Education and Business Acumen
Buss earned her degree in business from the University of Southern California (USC), one of the nation’s premier institutions for business education. Her academic training, paired with real-world exposure, gave her a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. This dual background made her one of the most prepared individuals to eventually lead the Lakers organization.
Rise to Power in the Lakers Organization
The pivotal moment in Jeanie Buss’s professional life came in 2013, following the death of her father, Jerry Buss. Jerry had owned a 66% controlling interest in the Lakers, which was divided among his six children. Despite the shared ownership, Jeanie emerged as the natural leader due to her extensive sports management background.
By 2017, after a brief internal family power struggle, she was unanimously entrusted with full operational control of the team. She assumed the dual role of controlling owner and president, becoming the face of the franchise and the ultimate decision-maker on all major basketball and business matters.
Championship and Financial Triumphs
Jeanie Buss’s leadership bore fruit when the Lakers won the NBA Championship in the 2019–2020 season, a victory that made her the first woman in NBA history to lead a team to a title. This wasn’t just a symbolic win—it was a pivotal moment that solidified her legacy in the league and proved her strategic leadership on and off the court.
Under her stewardship, the franchise’s valuation skyrocketed, with the Lakers now worth approximately $6.5 billion, according to Forbes. This exponential growth is tied to rising media rights deals, global brand expansion, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Buss’s influence helped the Lakers remain not only relevant but dominant in a competitive and evolving sports landscape.
Income Sources and Net Worth
Jeanie Buss reportedly earns over $50 million annually, primarily through her ownership stake and executive role with the Lakers. Her income sources include:
- Franchise revenue share from media contracts, ticket sales, and merchandising.
- Sponsorship deals secured through the Lakers’ global appeal.
- Real estate and personal investments, many of which were inherited or developed through her early business ventures.
Outside of basketball, Buss has found success in entertainment and alternative sports. She is the co-founder and co-owner of Women of Wrestling (WOW), a professional women’s wrestling promotion that has gained national broadcast deals and streaming exposure. The success of WOW adds another revenue stream to her already robust financial portfolio.
As of 2025, her net worth is estimated at $700 million, positioning her among the wealthiest women in professional sports.
Media and Recognition
Jeanie Buss has not only led behind the scenes but also made an impact in sports media. In 2023, she earned a Sports Emmy Award as an executive producer for the documentary Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers. The series aired on Hulu and chronicled the Buss family’s journey and the evolution of the Lakers, earning widespread critical acclaim.
Her presence on media platforms and industry panels has amplified her role as a thought leader in sports, empowering more women to pursue leadership roles in a space traditionally dominated by men.
Personal Life and Recent Marriage
Jeanie Buss’s personal life has also drawn media attention over the years. She was married to volleyball star Steve Timmons from 1990 to 1993. Later, she had a long and public relationship with former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, though the couple never married.
In a joyful and more recent chapter, she married comedian and actor Jay Mohr in September 2023. Their relationship, which had remained mostly private, came as a surprise to fans but highlighted Buss’s commitment to maintaining a grounded personal life despite her high-profile role.