The Los Angeles Lakers front office underwent a complete remodeling in the middle of last season, as owner Jeanie Buss decided to part ways with her own brother, Jim, who served as executive vice president of basketball operations in addition to being part owner.
Jeanie, who is the organization’s controlling owner, then hired Laker legend Magic Johnson to be the new president of basketball operations to take over the front office.
By firing her own brother, Jeanie demonstrated that she’s willing to do whatever it takes to return the Lakers to being the great franchise that her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, built.
For that reason, Jeanie was recently ranked No. 1 in the Orange County Register’s “50 Most Powerful In Southern California Sports”:
The eventful stretch for Dr. Jerry Buss’ oldest daughter began when she fired brother Jim Buss from controlling basketball decisions in the front office. It ended with a new regime void of division, a promising young roster and the apparent beginning of the end of the worst stretch in franchise history, making Jeanie Buss No. 1 on the 50 Most Powerful in Southern California Sports in 2017.
The honor is a high one, as Los Angeles is one of the sports capitals of the world, especially now with two NFL teams, the Rams and Chargers, recently moving here.
Johnson was not far behind Jeanie on the list, coming in at No. 3 right behind Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who is responsible for possibly bring the olympics back to L.A. in 2024 or 2028.