On a seismic day in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise, two members of the Buss family have been fired from their front-office roles as the Lakers begin the transition of handover to their new owner, Mark Walter.
One member of the Buss family did not take the firing well and took to social media ot call out his sister.
Jesse Buss Aims Barb at Sister Jeanie As He’s Fired From Lakers Front Office
Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the franchise in 1979, beginning a hugely successful reign that led to two Laker dynasties and 10 championships. After he passed away, his daughter, Jeanie Buss, took sole control of the Lakers in 2013 and picked up where he left off, winning a title in 2020 as controlling owner and serving in a front-office role for prior championship teams, doing a terrific job continuing her Father’s legacy of the Lakers’ winning tradition.
With new ownership at the helm and sibling rivalries that would fit into an episode of HBO’s “Succession,” two family members, Joey and Jesse Buss, were fired on Thursday. Jesse did not take his firing lying down, calling out his sister upon departure.
Thanksgiving may be a frosty affair in the Buss household next Thursday. One thing is for sure: Jeanie remains at the head of the table.
Jesse and Joey, both minority owners and key members of the front office, were fired with immediate effect on Thursday. Leaving with them are most of the Lakers’ scouting department, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Further to the “Succession” vibes, perhaps not coincidentally, both voted against the Lakers’ sale to Walters, according to Charania. Now they’ve both been fired, while their sister Jeanie remains in a governor role overseeing basketball operations. This has not sat well with the departing siblings.
Reporting for NBA Today on the Lakers firing minority owners Joey and Jesse Buss from front office positions — with Jesse saying: “Dr. Buss’ idea was for Joey and I to run basketball operations one day. But Jeanie has effectively kept herself in place with her siblings fired.” pic.twitter.com/C86weLXtop
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 20, 2025
Upon departing, Jesse issued the following statement to Charania: “Dr. Buss’ idea was for Joey and me to run basketball operations one day. But Jeanie has effectively kept herself in place with her siblings fired.” This is a clear shot at Jeanie; plus, saying it would be against their late father’s wishes is a particularly pointed attack.
“She Fired Everyone,” Says Fired Jesse Buss
Jesse clarified his feelings in further quotes to The Athletic that Jeanie was particularly ruthless towards her family members. “She’s fired everyone.”
However, he was not blindsided by his firing, as he had seen it coming, especially with the $10 billion sale of the franchise.
“I more or less expected it. Obviously, this is a job I’ve loved for a very long time. I love the organization. I love the fans. I love the city of Los Angeles.”
Speaking to the Athletic, he also recalled seeing the writing on the wall: “I kind of felt siloed quite a bit, dating back to before, I guess, the 2023 draft.” Speaking to a lack of communication between him and his sister, he said: “I kind of felt like the writing was on the wall.”
It was inevitable that, once the sale went through, there would be changes in the front office. Still, the firings of both members of the Buss family are not insignificant, family politics aside. According to Charania, it was their scouting team that identified the likes of Julius Randle and Austin Reaves, the latter becoming a key Lakers starter, to name but a few NBA stars they’ve identified.
Nevertheless, the Lakers are moving on into a new, exciting era. Luka Dončić will be the face of the franchise now and in the future, following a new 3-year extension that was recently signed. Jeanie remains in a governor role overseeing operations, and Mark Walters is the new controlling owner. The “Succession” writers have a doozy if they plan to write a sequel series.
