Lakers’ Jeanie Buss reveals Jerry Buss’ genius move that’s ‘illegal in most countries because of murder’

Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss detailed a unique estate decision by her father, Jerry Buss, that shaped the franchise’s long-term ownership structure, describing it as a “last man standing trust” that is “illegal in most countries because of murder.”

Buss made the remarks during the latest episode of Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova, offering insight into the organizational transition that led to the Lakers’ recent ownership change.

“On the motivation for selling the Lakers: My dad did really a wonderful thing by putting the Laker team in a trust. It was actually held in what’s called the last man standing trust, which are illegal in most countries because they cause murder. But the time was right and the buyer was the right one. Our fans know after watching the success that the LA Dodgers have had that Mark Walter will continue to want to win. And I’m staying on to help the transition. And he honors the Buss family legacy, that’s important to him.”

The structure, commonly referred to as a “last man standing trust,” allows control of an asset to pass to the final surviving beneficiary. While legal in certain contexts, Buss noted its controversial nature due to potential conflicts it can create among heirs. The arrangement kept the Lakers within the Buss family for decades following Jerry Buss’ purchase of the team in 1979, helping maintain continuity during one of the most successful eras in franchise history.

Jeanie Buss calls Lakers transition ‘bittersweet’ as Mark Walter era begins

Jeanie Buss also reflected on the emotional complexity of transitioning ownership, particularly given her father’s longstanding vision for the organization.

“It will always be bittersweet. I would like to stay for the next hundred years, but I’m not gonna be around for the next hundred years. So things always have to evolve. My dad asked me to — I like to say my dad had six children, but the Lakers were his baby, and he wanted me to make sure that the baby thrived. The investment that Mark Walter will make in keeping the Lakers at the top of the NBA, that’s what the Lakers deserve and the Laker fans deserve… And, again, my siblings all wanting different things made it very difficult to run the operation the way it needed to be and to compete.”

The Lakers’ transition to billionaire Mark Walter, who also leads the ownership group of the Los Angeles Dodgers, marked a significant shift in the franchise’s structure. Walter’s track record in Major League Baseball includes multiple championships and sustained competitiveness, contributing to expectations of continued investment and stability in Los Angeles.

On the court, the Lakers are focused on closing out their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Los Angeles holds a 3-1 series lead entering Game 5 on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. PT, with an opportunity to advance to the next round.

As the organization navigates both competitive and structural changes, Buss’ comments highlight the lasting impact of Jerry Buss’ decisions and the evolving direction of one of the NBA’s most prominent franchises.

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