Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss isn’t the only one in the family with aspirations to lead a superpower.
Johnny Buss is running for president.
Johnny Buss Launches 2024 Presidential Campaign
Lakers part-owner and vice president of strategic development, the 67-year-old Buss is a former racer and the son of longtime Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss. Dr. Buss won 10 NBA championships with the popular franchise before passing away in 2013 at age 80. Altogether the Buss patriarch had six children. A 66 percent ownership was split evenly between them upon his death.
“I envision an America that leads with compassion, innovation, and most of all integrity. An America where racial equity is not just an ideal, but a lived reality for every citizen. Where our policies reflect our commitment to the planet, and where education opens doors to futures bright with promise.”
On his official campaign website, the eldest of Dr. Buss’s children, plans to launch his 2024 presidential bid with a three-legged platform based on “(racial) equity, (climate) sustainability, and (universal) education.”
Buss Background
Buss previously served as president of the MISL’s Los Angeles Lazers (1982-1985) and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks (1997-2006). With the Sparks, he won two championships before his exit in 2006. Prior to his passing, Dr. Buss complimented his son’s success in the venture, per former Los Angeles Times writer John Ireland:
“I was happy for him, because I think people second-guessed his ability to run a sports team,” Jerry says. “A lot of people didn’t agree with his plans or ideas, so for him to win…that says it all.”
Buss developed a distaste for his previous passions following his father’s passing. In leaving the Lakers’ business, he said, “I trust my brother, and I trust my sisters. I really think they understand the overall goal at heart—to continue to drive a profitable business and do the best you can on the floor.”
He then turned his attention to a social networking site with the aim has instead started a social networking site, hoping that it “advances the enjoyment of art, entertainment and creativity to brighten our world.”
“I’ve been an artist all my life,” he would say of the decision. “As long as the Lakers are running smoothly, they won’t hear from me—I’ll be happy.”
In 2017, he had a public spat with sister and brother —Jeanie and Jim —over who would be the Lakers controlling owner. In fact, the brothers tried to push their sister off the Lakers board of directors altogether. Buss claims to have made those moves in an effort to preserve the team’s budget.
Purportedly, he was concerned that Lakers former president of basketball operations Magic Johnson would spend too heavily in pursuit of an NBA championship. Johnson resigned in 2019, failing to reach the NBA Playoffs as the franchise’s shot-caller.
