Career Timeline of Jeanie Buss: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 18, 2025

How Jeanie Buss built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jeanie Marie Buss is an American sports executive who serves as the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers, a prominent NBA team. Furthermore, she is the co-owner and promoter of Women of Wrestling (WOW), a U.S. women's professional wrestling promotion. Buss has successfully transitioned from a background in professional tennis to a leadership role in sports management, demonstrating business acumen and influence within the professional sports industry.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1981: Strings Revival and GM Appointment

In 1981, World TeamTennis was revived as TeamTennis, and Jerry Buss once again owned the Los Angeles Strings. He appointed his 19-year-old daughter, Jeanie, as the general manager while she was studying at USC.

1993: Brought Roller Hockey to Los Angeles

After the Los Angeles Strings folded in 1993, Jeanie Buss brought professional roller hockey to Los Angeles as owner of the Los Angeles Blades in Roller Hockey International. She was named Executive of the Year by the league.

1995: Alternate Governor on the NBA Board of Governors

In 1995, Jeanie Buss served as the Alternate Governor on the NBA Board of Governors.

1999: Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Lakers

In 1999, Jeanie Buss was named executive vice president of business operations for the Los Angeles Lakers.

2005: Jim Buss Promoted

In 2005, Jim Buss, Jeanie's brother, was promoted to vice president of player personnel for the Lakers. The plan was for Jeanie to handle business decisions and Jim to manage the basketball side.

2012: Coaching Hire Conflict

In 2012, Jeanie Buss expected the Lakers to rehire Phil Jackson as head coach, but Jim Buss hired Mike D'Antoni instead, leading to conflict between Jeanie and Jim.

2013: Assumed Lakers Governance and Presidency

After her father's death in 2013, Jeanie Buss assumed his previous title as the Lakers' governor and became the team representative at NBA Board of Governors meetings. She also became president of the Lakers, leading the team's business operations.

2013: Inherited Lakers Ownership

In 2013, after her father Jerry Buss passed away, Jeanie Buss and her siblings inherited equal votes of the Lakers' controlling ownership via a family trust. Jeanie Buss then took over as team president and the Lakers' representative on the NBA Board of Governors.

February 2017: Fired Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak

In February 2017, Jeanie Buss terminated general manager Mitch Kupchak and her brother, VP of Basketball Operations Jim Buss, due to the team's poor performance and Jim's failure to consult her on key trades. She replaced them with Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka.

2020: NBA Championship

In 2020, Jeanie Buss became the first female controlling owner to guide her team to an NBA championship, marking her sixth NBA title overall as an owner/executive.

October 6, 2021: WOW Distribution Agreement with ViacomCBS

On October 6, 2021, ViacomCBS, Jeanie Buss, and David McLane announced a multi-year distribution agreement for WOW-Women Of Wrestling. This marked the largest media distribution platform for an organization that solely promotes women's wrestling in U.S. history.