History of Jeanie Buss in Timeline

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.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 26, 1961: Jeanie Buss Born

On September 26, 1961, Jeanie Marie Buss was born. She is now an American sports executive, controlling owner, and president of the Los Angeles Lakers and co-owner and promoter of Women of Wrestling (WOW).

Others born on this day/year

1972: Parents' Divorce

In 1972, Jeanie Buss's parents, Joann and Jerry Buss, divorced, leaving her feeling emotionally abandoned.

1978: World TeamTennis Folded

In 1978, World TeamTennis, which Jeanie Buss was exposed to through her father's ownership of the Los Angeles Strings, folded.

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.

1990: Married Steve Timmons

In 1990, Jeanie Buss married volleyball player Steve Timmons.

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.

May 1995: Posed Nude in Playboy

In May 1995, Jeanie Buss posed nude in Playboy magazine.

1995: Alternate Governor on the NBA Board of Governors

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

December 1999: Started Dating Phil Jackson

In December 1999, Jeanie Buss began dating then-Lakers head coach Phil Jackson.

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.

2005: Top 20 Most Influential Women in Sports

In 2005, Sporting News named Jeanie Buss as one of the Top 20 Most Influential Women in Sports.

2011: Recognition as a Powerful Woman in Sports

In 2011, Forbes recognized Jeanie Buss as "one of few powerful women in sports management," and ESPN noted she is "one of the most powerful women in the NBA."

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: Engaged to Phil Jackson

In 2013, Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson became engaged.

2013: Public Criticism of Jim's Decision

In 2013, Jeanie Buss publicly criticized Jim's coaching hire decision in her book "Laker Girl", further upsetting Jim.

Laker Girl

Check it on Amazon

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.

December 27, 2016: Engagement Termination

On December 27, 2016, Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson announced the termination of their engagement in a joint statement on Twitter.

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.

2017: Began Dating Jay Mohr

In 2017, Jeanie Buss reportedly began dating comedian Jay Mohr.

December 2018: Discovered Secret Sibling

In December 2018, Jeanie Buss received correspondence from Lee, an individual claiming to be her secret sibling and the first child of Jerry Buss and JoAnn Mueller, who had been given up for adoption. A meeting was arranged for Lee to connect with Jeanie, her mother, and the rest of the siblings.

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.

September 2021: Relationship with Jay Mohr Announced

In September 2021, Jeanie Buss announced on Twitter that she was in a relationship with comedian Jay Mohr.

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.