Jeanie Buss
We travel to Los Angeles to visit with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. Considered “the most powerful woman in the NBA,” Buss reflects on her journey, from attending her father’s conferences as an elementary student – to her ascent within the Lakers. Jeanie also opens up about sexism faced in the workplace, the challenges of managing a family business, and the loss of her friend – and NBA icon – Kobe Bryant. We also hear from her now-husband, comedian Jay Mohr, on his battle with addiction, and get a sneak peek at how his experiences have integrated into his stand-up routine. Later, we tag along to the Lakers 2023 home opener, where we run into some Hollywood celebrities.
In Depth with Graham Bensinger “Jeanie Buss Signed Lakers Hat” Giveaway
Jeanie Buss
CLIPS
Jeanie Buss: Single-handedly supporting the movie theater business
Jeanie Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and a self-proclaimed “real estate groupie,” discusses her passion for real estate development. Jeanie also shares her unique distaste for travel, her unwavering support of the movie theater industry, and childhood memories of father-daughter movie marathons.
Jeanie Buss: Working 14-hour days for 4 years straight
Jeanie Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, recalls early career moments, from sitting in on World Team Tennis meetings as a teenager to working rigorous 14-hour days as president of the Great West Forum. She attributes her success to both her ambition and the empowerment she received from her father, Dr. Jerry Buss.
Jeanie Buss on condescending tone, groping as a young NBA owner
Recognized as one of the most powerful women in the NBA, Jeanie Buss shares times she has encountered sexism in the workplace. Jeanie recalls facing condescension and bullying during a business negotiation, as well as sexual harassment at a conference. She attributes her resilience and strength to the empowerment she received from her father and the guidance she got from strong women such as Billie Jean King and Jane Fonda.
Jeanie Buss: I always autograph my Playboy photos, even today
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, discusses her Playboy Magazine debut, describing it as a transformative experience for her confidence and self-esteem. She also discusses her family’s connections to Playboy and the support she received from her family and the public after the release of her photos.
Jeanie Buss on Dennis Rodman: More like babysitting than dating
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, reflects on valuable lessons learned from her previous marriage with volleyball star Steve Timmons, shares memories with former boyfriends, and explains the origins of her nickname “Jeanie Dangerous.” Later, John McEnroe makes a special appearance to ask Jeanie a burning question.
Jay Mohr and Jeanie Buss: Why we don’t sleep in the same bed
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and comedian Jay Mohr take a trip down memory lane, sharing stories from their relationship. They discuss the radio interview that initially brought them together, Jay’s love-at-first-sight moment, and a unique, thriving living situation on separate floors. Later, we catch a glimpse of Jay’s stand-up comedy routine and hear from Jeanie about her comedy lessons.
Jeanie Buss on Jay Mohr addiction: I was prepared to cut ties
Owner of the Lakers, Jeanie Buss, opens up about her experience with her husband, Jay Mohr, and his battle with addiction. She describes the strain it took on their relationship, his intervention, and his eventual path to recovery. We also hear from Jay, who says he was “a sink hole of energy” to both himself and those around him. Finally, we catch a glimpse of Jay’s stand-up comedy routine, where we see how Jay uses a unique blend of vulnerability and humor to address his experience with addiction on stage.
Jeanie Buss: Telling my 6th grade friends my dad died (he didn’t)
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, speaks on her parents’ divorce, shedding light on the impact it had on her relationship with her father, and how they leaned into sports and movies to repair ties. Finally, Jeanie expresses immense gratitude for her mother, highlighting her beauty, selflessness, and commitment to her family.
Jeanie Buss: Dad never wanted kids to know of our secret sibling
Jeanie Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, shares her experience discovering her long-lost sibling. Following her father’s passing, Jeanie’s mother, who was battling dementia, revealed they had given up a child for adoption early in her parents’ marriage. Years later, Jeanie says she received a letter from her long-lost sister and was proudly able to reunite her and her mother.
Jeanie Buss: Dad traded Chrysler building for the Lakers
Jeanie Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, recounts the life of her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, from his humble upbringing in a single-parent home in Wyoming to his rise in the world of real estate development. She delves into how Jerry acquired ownership of the Lakers, detailing the complex and unusual negotiations with Jack Kent Cooke that made it all possible. Finally, she commends her father for his impact on the NBA, highlighting how the introduction of the Laker Girls revolutionized the industry’s approach to marketing and in-game entertainment.
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss discusses her relationship with Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. She talks about the mentor-mentee dynamic between Magic and her father, Jerry Buss, her experience working with Magic on the Lakers ownership group, and her reaction to the unexpected news of his resignation.
Jeanie Buss: My brothers’ disastrous mistake of ghosting Phil Jackson
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, reflects on the challenges of managing a business alongside family members, particularly the unpermitted decision made by her brother to hire Mike D’Antoni over Phil Jackson in 2012. She shares the embarrassment she felt during this time, the subsequent strain on the relationship with her brothers, and the invaluable advice she received from Kobe Bryant that helped her through it all.
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss opens up about the hardest six weeks of her life, which saw the deaths of her mother, Kobe, and Gianna Bryant, as well as former NBA commissioner David Stern. Jeanie says she has found solace in the Lakers community, the continuation of her father’s NBA legacy, and remembering memorable moments throughout Kobe’s retirement season. Later, she speaks about the joy of having LeBron James play for the Lakers, highlighting the inspiration that his exceptional talent sparks among the team.
Jeanie Buss: Why I refrain from the Xs and Os of Lakers management
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and 6-time NBA champion Jeanie Buss discusses her leadership style, saying that transparency, empowerment, and communication are paramount. We also hear from Jeanie’s husband, Jay Mohr, who commends her tireless work ethic and dedication to success.
We join Lakers owner Jeanie Buss in Los Angeles, California, as she takes us on a tour of the team’s $80 million practice facility. Jeanie reveals the story behind some of the building’s most important features, from color choices to artwork, trophy displays, and structural design. She also highlights the many ways in which their state-of-the-art facility pays tribute to the legendary Kobe Bryant.
Jeanie Buss: Robbed of $25K in jewelry
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, recalls the terrifying incident of being held at gunpoint while en route to work. The teenage robber made off with $25,000 worth of jewelry, including a 1988 Lakers championship ring, but Jeanie says she managed to escape before he was able to snatch her purse. Later, she details the aftermath of the situation, including her attempt to identify the suspect and how the experience impacts her to this day.
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss recounts her notable celebrity encounters, including an offer by Tobey Maguire to appear as an extra in Seabiscuit. Jeanie also reveals the reason Prince asked to cancel his concert at the Forum at the last minute and the only person she’s asked for an autograph.
Jeanie Buss on if the Lakers will forever be owned by her family
Jeanie Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, reflects on her father’s pursuit of an NFL team and how his reputation stood in the way. Jeanie humorously notes that she is not drawn to NFL team ownership because she already manages one… her fantasy football team.
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, discusses the Laker’s docuseries “Legacy: The true story of the LA Lakers” and her deep appreciation for the opportunity to archive her father’s legacy story. She also addresses her stance on the HBO series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,” noting her disapproval of the unauthorized portrayal of her family’s story. Despite her attempts to shut down production, she admits to watching the show and even commends John C Riley for his outstanding performance as her father, Dr Jerry Buss.
Jeanie Buss: Empowering women through wrestling
We’re ringside with Jeanie Buss, co-owner and founder of Women of Wrestling, as she highlights her inspiration for launching this women’s wrestling league. Driven by her desire to get involved in women’s sports, Jeanie says she established WOW to provide women with a new platform for competition and empowerment. We also hear from one of the wrestlers, who says she hopes to be a female athlete that young girls can look up to.
We travel to Los Angeles, California, to accompany Jeanie Buss, owner of the Lakers, as she attends the team’s 2023-2024 home opener game. She expresses her hopes for the upcoming season, reflects on the incredible growth of the league, and showcases the newly-installed Cincora Patio. Later, we hear from Rob Pelinka, Vice President of Basketball Operations, and Linda Rambis, Executive Director of Special Projects, who commend Jeanie for her remarkable dedication to the success of the team. Finally, we speak with comedian, actor, and long-time 76ers fan, Kevin Hart, who reveals what draws him back to the Lakers’ stadium time and time again.
