In 2004, the Los Angeles Dodgers were purchased by Frank and Jamie McCourt for over $400 million, becoming only the second Dodger’s owner(s) since the legendary O’Malley family exited baseball and their beloved Dodgers.
The McCourt family purchased more than a dynasty; they purchased a dream of family ownership.
But after four trips to the postseason, an alleged marital affair, and millions of dollars in litigation – that dream seems to be crashing down faster than the Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the 2000 NBA Western Conference Finals (okay…I just had to throw that one in there).
The tribulations now facing the McCourt family should make Lakers fans all that more grateful that they have the Buss family running the show.
Is the Buss family the model structure for the American household? Not quite.
But are they the envy of the sports business world? Absolutely.
And rightfully so.
Next: The Buss Family
Under the Buss family, the team has reached the NBA Finals 16 out of the 31 years under their ownership.
The Lakers have won 9 NBA titles. More than any other owner in the four big professional team sports!
And as if that wasn’t enough, the Lakers are now worth anywhere from 600 to 700 million dollars. Not bad for a kid from Wyoming who purchased the Lakers, the L.A. Kings, the Forum, and a ranch from the late Jack Kent Cooke for only $67.5 million.
Much has been written about the Buss family and their eccentric past; so I won’t spend too much time down that road.
But few have shared their opinion about who should be at the top of the Lakers ladder when Dr. Buss is no longer capable to run the team.
Who should be the face of the Los Angeles Lakers – one of the most storied franchises in the entire world?
Who should accept the NBA Finals trophy for years to come?
Who should be the one to make the final decisions on player transactions?
The Buss family is large and more of them are involved with the team that you might think.
There is Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, and Janie from his first marriage.
Then there are the much younger Joey and Jesse; 25 and 22 respectively. Jesse is a business student at LMU and the only one of his children that lives with him. Joey on the other hand has been very much involved as President of the “D-Fenders” NBA development team and is seen by Jerry Buss to have the business acumen of a Jeanie Buss.
With just about every sibling of the Buss family involved with the Lakers in some shape or form, it really has come down to two people that have been running the Lake Show for some time now.
Jeanie and Jim.
Next: Who Should Run the Team?
Jeanie: The personable, sexy, and charming vice president of business operations for the L.A. Lakers. Sporting News magazine named her in 2005 one of the 20 most influential women in sports.
Jim: The not very camera friendly assistant general manager and current vice president of player personnel. But above everything else – the heir to the empire according to dad!
I’m personally disappointed that Jerry Buss has anointed his son as the one to take over when he is no longer around. That’s right! Jim Buss. The man whose biggest accomplishment to date is landing an injury prone Andrew Bynum.
We already know that he lacks the common sense to know when to keep his comments to himself. Flashback to 2007 when Jim Buss appeared on KLAC 570 AM and publicly criticized coach Phil Jackson for calling out players in the media.
It was a dumb move and a moment in which he revealed his immaturity to the L.A. fan base. Jeanie was quick to fire right back and publicly denounced her brother’s remarks and point out her disappointment.
So what about Jeanie?
Why not her as the next leader of the purple and gold?
She’s been the one to represent the team during past NBA drafts, owners meetings, and has had a wonderful relationship with the media and fans. Just earlier this year, Jeanie Buss recommended that the 2011 NBA All-Star game, being hosted at Staples Center this season, have a new twist! She suggested a very unique format that would have the voted players to be selected to one of two teams in the same fashion one would start up a pickup game!
It’s that type of forward thinking and innovation that the Lakers should have at the helm. Someone who is not only very business savvy, but is also very passionate and identifiable with the fans. (Not to mention a heck of a lot better looking that Jim!)
And what better first family of basketball to have than Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss at the helm? Wouldn’t that just make for the NBA’s biggest power couple?
Well whoever ends up leading the Lakers to future championships, we should hope they will be able to keep the peace and meet the challenges of family ownership.
If I do have one piece of advice for Jeanie or Jim it is this, take after their father – don’t bother with marriage!
Your dad may be a playboy, but rest assured this town isn’t losing their Lakers to a few nights with a chauffeur!
Just ask the “boys in blue”.