The Phenomenal Journey of Jeanie Buss: Triumphs, Legacy, and the Lakers Successor Unveiled!
Jeanie Buss, the successor to her father Jerry Buss, became the owner of the Lakers in 2013 after his passing Notably, she appointed Magic Johnson as the Lakers' President in 2017, showcasing her astute management skills
Summary
Jeanie Buss, portrayed in Winning Time, demonstrates determination and business acumen, foreshadowing her real-life decisions as the owner of the Lakers.
Jeanie, at the age of 19, assumed the role of General Manager for the Los Angeles Strings, guiding them to a championship victory. Eventually, she ascended as a prosperous sports executive. Following her father's passing in 2013, Jeanie assumed the position of controlling owner for the Lakers, implementing impactful modifications and appointing Magic Johnson as the President of Basketball Operations in 2017.
In Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty season 2, Jeanie Buss's journey takes on new significance. As the daughter of owner Jerry Buss in HBO's critically acclaimed series, Jeanie is tasked with managing the Los Angeles Strings, a professional tennis team boasting world-class players like Martina Navratilova. In Winning Time, portrayed by Hadley Robinson, Jeanie showcases her determination and business savvy, much like her beloved father Jerry (played by John C. Reilly). Through her character development, we witness how Jeanie establishes the foundation for her eventual leadership of the entire Lakers franchise.
However, Jeanie faces a challenging dilemma in episode 3 of Winning Time season 2. This pivotal moment compels her to make a business decision that impacts her brother, Johnny (played by Thomas Mann). In order to prioritize her team's success, Jeanie decides to trade Johnny's love interest from the tennis world to another team outside of Los Angeles, inevitably causing heartbreak for her brother. This uncompromising approach exemplified by Jeanie foreshadows the real-life decisions she would later make as the owner of the Lakers. Throughout the series, Jeanie's admiration for her father remains unwavering, despite his imperfections. Her aspiration to make him proud is a fundamental aspect of their onscreen relationship, mirroring the valuable lessons and sentiments Jerry imparted to Jeanie in real life.
Jeanie Buss' Career During Winning Time Explained - The LA Strings & Lakers Involvement
Jeanie Buss officially took on the role of General Manager for the Los Angeles Strings at the age of nineteen in 1981, as portrayed in Winning Time. Following in her father's footsteps, she led the team to a TeamTennis championship in her debut year. With a unique perspective into the world of sports management, thanks to her father's guidance and her education at USC, Jeanie acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this fiercely competitive industry.
From 1990 until 1993, Jeanie continued to manage the LA Strings, securing their second championship before the team disbanded. She then assumed ownership of the Los Angeles Blades, a professional roller hockey team, competing in the Roller Hockey International league until 1999. In addition to her team ownership, Jeanie was also chosen as the President of the Forum, a renowned Los Angeles venue that housed the Lakers from 1967 to 1999.
Further solidifying her role in sports management, Jeanie became the Vice President of Business Operations for the Lakers in 1999. Her influence and power as a female executive in the sports industry have continued to grow, earning her widespread recognition as one of the most influential and powerful women in the field, extending into the 2000s and beyond.
Jeanie Buss Became The Owner Of The Lakers After Jerry Buss's Death In 2013
Jeanie's unwavering loyalty to the Lakers organization persisted throughout her career. Following the passing of Jerry Buss in 2013, who owned two-thirds of the team, his ownership transferred to his six children, making Jeanie the President of the Lakers. While her brother Jim focused on the basketball aspect as an Executive VP, Jeanie took charge of the business side. In the past decade, under Jeanie's leadership as the controlling owner, the Lakers secured the NBA Championship in 2019-2020, led by the legendary LeBron James.
During the late 2010s, Jeanie found herself entangled in a legal dispute for control over the Lakers. In 2017, she instigated a significant internal change, reshuffling the management personnel entirely. The process commenced with the acceptance of her brother Jim's resignation and the dismissal of longstanding General Manager Mitch Kupchak, a former Lakers player. Kupchak had held the position since his retirement from professional basketball in 1986, initially serving as Jerry West's assistant before eventually succeeding him in 2000.
Jeanie Buss Made Magic Johnson President Of The Lakers In 2017
Jeanie fulfilled her father's promise to incorporate Magic Johnson into the Lakers organization by appointing him as President of Basketball Operations. Magic regarded Jerry Buss as a dear friend and mentor, which has influenced the current Lakers ownership and management to uphold his legacy within the organization. Both Magic Johnson and Jeanie Buss have achieved great success as franchise owners, following in the footsteps of Jerry Buss, as portrayed in Winning Time. In addition, Buss is the owner of the WOW Women of Wrestling League, while Johnson holds partial ownership in the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), Washington Commanders (NFL), Los Angeles FC (MLS), and the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA).
