I was thankful he gave me an opportunity to get involved, and more importantly, get involved with someone like him where I learned a lot. championship three years in a row, the Lakers became the first team to achieve In the summer of 2007, Kobe Bryant requested a trade from the Lakers. Reports suggest Prince Charles will live "in a flat above the shop" when he becomes king. 
[4], His philanthropy also extended to people associated with the Lakers. Playing for him was one of the best highlights of my life. It was a really intimate moment. Arguably the best thing Shes trying to do the same thing her dad did, so thats great. For him to give me that 1-on-1, personal treatment considering where I stood on the team that was treatment I thought hed give Kobe or Shaq. And then at the end of that, they said someone talked to Magic (Johnson), and Magic approved the trade. They watched the game and came out cheering and smiling, and I asked whats happening, and he said, Were getting ice cream! I was excited to have the ice cream thats probably when becoming a Lakers fan began for me. The Lakers franchise, which he purchased in 1979 and steered to 10 championships, had become a laughingstock, mired in the worst stretch in its history. He not only was an avid reader, he knew some of the great authors, as well. Under the ownership of the Buss family, the franchise won 10 championships with Jerry leading the pack and one with his daughter, Jeanie Buss. Once, he asked her out to lunch and brought Gianna. It was California Pizza Kitchen wed always order out and wed meet for a couple of hours. We talked about his vision, and all types of things. To allow the menu buttons to display, add whiteestate.org to IE's trusted sites. Once they got on the floor, they seemed to be able to put all that behind them and do what they needed to do. He liked to talk hoops. When youre the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James is making his preseason debut, a comedy coming-out party can wait. row, the team posted a 28-4 record in the regular season, the best in league We were so confident. No one has the formula to win a championship, but you always be relevant and be part of the conversation and give yourself a chance to win., Buss hasnt shared where her relationship with her brothers stands today but in 2021, Johnny Buss told the New York Times that his sister really matured and he said hes very proud of her, but it doesnt mean Ill talk to her much., During Buss fight with her brothers over the Lakers, her younger sister Janie stayed by her side. His first investment in the 1960s was $1,000 in a West Los Angeles apartment building. I love you mom., She recalled her mother going to see Lakers games during the Showtime era and said, Sometimes she would get so nervous watching the games she would walk around the concession stands to work off the anxiety. I like to think thats what I got from her. However, Buss was just drawn to her father because she loved listening in on his meetings and learning about business. The Buss family still They traded for the the NBAs LA Lakers, the NHLs LA Kings, The Forum indoor arena, and a He sold the team in 2006. We were holding the trophy, and there was a writer, Steve Springer with the L.A. Times, who came into the hallway when we were walking off the floor with my dad, and (Springer) asked what did it feel like to win your first championship since 1988? Laker Girls. She accepted her history as she grew older and is now at peace with everything that transpired. He then reached a major advertising agreement with Great Western Bank for the naming rights to The Forum, resulting in the official name of the building being changed to the Great Western Forum. With Dr. Buss in particular, I had surgery on my left wrist after my rookie year. I became a real big Kobe fan because of that, and wed go to the card store, and Id try so hard to get as many Kobe Lower Merion cards, and rookie cards as I could find. in World TeamTennis, a mixed-gender tennis league that featured global high school, Jerry had secured a job in a local hotel, where he would make two another LA sports investment the following year. It was really vivid and authentic. Casino.org is the worlds leading independent online gaming authority, providing trusted And you can add to that list Gabriel Iglesias, who sold out the venue for multiple shows two weeks ago. The thing he taught me the best is that he maximized his days. We made it a mission to play them again in 1985, to prove to ourselves and the world that we could beat them. Gerald Hatten Jerry female controlling owner to win an NBA championship when the Lakers clinched Jeanie, Dr. Buss and I spent a lot of time talking about price sensitivity. team. Having him around, you always felt support. And that was pretty special to hear. said the company owned around 700 properties across California, Arizona, and I didnt get enough time with him when I was growing up, he was working a lot, that was his focus, building his empire, building his wealth through real estate, Buss told the New York Times. He made you feel appreciated, and part of the family. In fact, Janie Buss told Sports Illustrated back in 1998 that her sister was the only one in the family with the business acumen to successfully lead the NBA team and that at some level, Johnny and Jimmy must understand that., Busss younger sister Janie, whos said she has no interest in business, told the publication that she considers herself the best adjusted out of the Buss kids. That was my reaction. Buss and her siblings grew up in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers are on fire. Copyright FameChain 2023, All rights reserved. Charity is really her calling. The entrepreneur, the Doctor. High praise indeed, Would I have been in this position if my dad didnt own the team? He was an incredibly brilliant person, but he had great heart and caring for the people around him. He was waiting on some people to come, so we just sat there, and it was right after retirement, and he talked about how appreciative he was of me being a Laker and the three championships. How Your Local Grocery Store Is Designed Like A Casino, These Are Officially The Rudest Premier League Fans, Highest And Lowest Gambling Taxes Around The World, Editorial I would watch him ask them how their grandchildren were, if they graduated knowing people by name. Mohr is a comedian and actor who appeared on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. They picked up right from it and you could tell, they were so well prepared. coached by Jackson. Dr. Buss shared it with us in great style. His father, Lydus, was an accountant who went on to teach statistics at Berkeley. There was something about both of us. I was fascinated about how cards accrued value, and Id always ask questions to my dad about it. If I just followed the blueprint he laid out for me, I was going to be successful, and I did. By his final season, 2015-16, Bryant trusted only Buss to help pull off his goodbye tour. And thats what he, thats what we, created. Whos your favorite band? We owned a box at the Forum as a family, so we went to a lot of events, and it was the beginning of him seeing an opportunity and pursuing it with a passion that when you own these kinds of teams, you feel, as an owner, that the team is going to somebody who cares about it as much as you do. It always comes out if youre a phony. I thought they had a great relationship that seemed to blossom until the day that Dr. Buss passed away. I get this call, and (am told) Dr. Buss wants to see you. Once you dealt with the media, you get on with your life. Download, The Great Controversy between Christ and Satan is unfolding before our eyes. Buss' total net worth isn't revealed yet, however, he is the equal recipients of his father will and ownership of Lakers. From my standpoint, when I got in, Magic had been in the league for a few years and they were really close. To her astonishment, nevertheless, the book was favorably received, and everyone applauded her. It wasnt like he had the money sitting right there, so he was going to give up everything, and put it on a potentially losing business. Jerry West called it the Shaq Diet. Dr. Buss was incredible as an owner. My dream was to be a businessman after I was done. [7] On February 14, 2013, it was revealed that Buss had been battling cancer since 2012. We would see each other during the summer, and I remember playing against the Lakers in those preseason games in Las Vegas, and he was always kind and always made sure he came to say hi. And Id just played in a rec league game maybe a week prior. One of his favorite comments always used to be, Aint nothin like winning! So thats one of my vivid memories. Never talked down to people. It was a remarkable experience that Ill remember forever. We reached our natural peak as a team in 87, 88 and 89. I wouldnt ever want to try that. The Lakers offices were inexplicably empty that day, with no one assigned to take the rookie out to lunch. I remember thinking it was really cool to have somebody go to the NBA straight from high school, somebody that was only five or six years older than me. I was a dominant player in Games 2 through 6, and we got over the hump finally. Finding great success in the real estate business, he pursued real estate investing full time. She has a degree in psychology and also works in the Lakers organization as the director of charitable services. I didnt have firsthand memories of winning a championship, and felt like wed never get one, because it seemed so hard. Money, looks, fame, she owns one of the storied franchises in history in seconds you can break that barrier by telling your truth. He really looked at it as entertainment. For the second year in a So my dad went there and repeatedly met with Cooke, and convinced him with his passion that the Lakers needed somebody to be there, to be present, to take ownership. He was very, very friendly, and the door was always open. Donald asks the courts to let him tweet. The championship in 1985 stands out because wed just beaten the Celtics, and Dr. Buss was as proud as hes ever been of any team. He had a brilliant mind, and he made a fortune in real estate because he was able to see the opportunity and bring everything together, and thats how he built his wealth. Magic was perfect for that. Buss was thrust into the gig, and they talked about Italy Bryant was raised there, and Buss had spent time in the country with her ex-husband, a former professional volleyball player. She was close to her father after the divorce of her parents. Months and a week, actually: She missed her first stand-up showcase at North Hollywoods HaHa Cafe in September 2018 because her day job got in the way. He was a great guy and someone who I really cared about a lot. 
Jerry was soft spoken, he had a great charm about him, and was just a unique person who believed in me for a long time, and I dont think in my life Ive ever had anybody who was as straight forward with me as him. A little more than four years later, at 41, she was appointed executive vice president of the Lakers. As the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1979 until he passed away in 2013, Dr. Jerry Buss oversaw one of the greatest stretches in sports and entertainment history. Just go out there and play. Hed recommend books for me to read. Having grown up in the Depression-era, coal-mining badlands of Wyoming, he So he went to Jerry West, and said, weve got to get somebody to come and get us back to winning. I was emotionally and mentally exhausted. We had a bunch of ideal guys Kareem Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy next to Earvin. We were all super excited to see him play, and one of the referees threw him out early on for arguing calls. He was that fast. But inside it was the 4th of July, with fireworks. It was a nice event, because hed ask every player and every coach to say a few words, and it was a nice atmosphere. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. I remember my son Thomas jumping in my arms, and he was five or six years old, and I was so tired, I could barely lift him. Its more than just going out there and playing. When Jack Kent Cooke sold the Lakers, the Kings, the Forum and a 13,000-acre ranch in Kern County, Jerry Buss met him at an office in Palos Verdes. I was a young player in Portland, and I knew about Jack Kent Cooke and what his reputation was, but we all heard about this man named Dr. Buss buying the Lakers, Kings and the Forum, and some real estate properties for what was an exorbitant amount of money at the time. 
So a sports writer for the Los Angeles Herald named Frank Grady, he got ahold of me, and I was really still upset and emotional and I just went ballistic. Dr. Buss was very thoughtful. It wasnt like I was negotiating for a contract, or I was currently playing, or he was looking for any ideas about other players. He basically created premium seating, and nobody else was doing this stuff at the time. left his mother, Jessie, to raise Buss and his three younger siblings. Just so, so cool. Am I being traded? He says, Were not trading you, what are you talking about? So we start chitchatting, and talking about other things, and finally he says, Coop you know what, I got some other meetings I have to have, but I just want to let you know theres something for you at the tunnel. So I go, OK, this is it. I figured Jerry (West) or whoever the other team was at the tunnel at the Forum. The whole franchise. Jerry Buss had six children Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and Jesse. Id say, I call it the smorgasbord defense a little bit of everything.. Buss owned 66% of the Lakers, which he divided equally among his children, giving them each an 11% share. A lot of people are surprised at Phoenix, but Im not, she said. That was one of his favorite things he started doing later on, because before, he was doing Hawaii for a month. I had no idea it was Dr. Buss. Patrol officers saw him driving on the wrong side of the road in San Diego I had someone in my mind, me coming from the South, who was going to be really distinguished and have a suit on, and youd be able to know who the owner was right away as soon as you seen him. Johnny Buss of trying to bust the [Buss family] trust and leave the rest of Explore how the celebrity world connects. was owned by Jerry Buss from 1997 to 2006. CreditTracy Nguyen for The New York Times. The times that he took out for 1-on-1 time to get me to feel comfortable, to tell me that he loved my game, that he wanted me to play confident. Dodgers dont care because hes on a superstar path, Elliott: Kings still might fail vs. Connor McDavid and Oilers in a playoff rematch, Atonio Mafi NFL draft diary: My Tongan heritage means everything to me. Buss first started the course in 2013 after her fathers death, but she gave up three weeks in. And his grasp of math, and his ability to run numbers and fit that into the equation, whatever the equation was whether it was the cap, payroll, profit loss statements whatever it was, he ran it all in his head. We didnt have 10 people doing it. Very genuine, honest guy, and I respected him a lot. And I did very well investing in the coins. Dr. Buss was the perfect owner to play for. Im sure he had a lot of good conversations with Kobe at that time that helped him get his feet on the ground. with JoAnn Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "JoAnn Buss", "gender": "Female" }, Jim Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Jim Buss", "gender": "Male" }, born 1959, age 63 (approx.) And so, I had to trust him. abandoned Buss and the rest of his family when Jerry was a young child. If I was offended by the book, or what my feelings were. We had a few. He had Hugh Hefner come with all the girls, and then I invited Michael Jackson. And Earvin made the best of it. Beginning in the early 1980s, Jerry Buss was notoriously seen in and around Los Angeles at charitable events with his ever-present entourage of close friends who were infamously dubbed in the press as The Seven Dwarfs. Johnny Buss, the Ice Houses new owner and the son of the late legendary Lakers owner Jerry Buss, took the stage midway through the evening to thank attendees for their support. superstars like Billie Jean King, Rod Laver, Bjrn Borg, and John McEnroe. I had been a coach for three years, and I told him no, this is not something I should do. I know youre going to shoot straight. He would listen to Jerry (West), Phil but then hed get the confirmation from me. Sparks enjoyed a lot of success under Jerry Busss ownership, winning Buss is now engaged to be married to Jay Mohr, a comedian and actor. during Busss tenure; they made the playoffs most years but never troubled the I couldnt be more thankful for all the parties involved in that trade, because it really changed my career here in the NBA, and gave me a second life. He was my mentor. It is believed to be correct at the time of inputting and is presented here in good faith. This was like brothers. My last year when I retired (2004-05), I remember being a free agent, and one call from him made my decision easier when he told me, You started with the Lakers, you have to retire with the Lakers. That was my decision, trusting that guy, and man, it was a pleasure to play with him. You could see it. Then due to (certain circumstances), Jerry wanted us to be co-coaches. Buss was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 27, 1933, at the height of I thought he was kidding. And I would come back in town, and we would see each other. So, it was interesting timing how we both ran into each other in Barcelona during a family trip from him, and he came to the gym I used to work out at in a hotel in Barcelona. Michael Cooper and James Worthy getting back on defense, West introduces Shaq as a Los Angeles Laker, Joey Buss celebrates with his father after the Lakers' Championship in 2002. I thought we were at our very, very best even though we got beat by the Pistons on that 3-peat effort, we were undefeated going into the Finals until Magic and Byron got hurt. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, American Businessman And Real Estate Investor, Jan 27 1933 - Salt Lake City, United States, Jan 27 1933 - Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, Feb 18 2013 - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States, Rocky Mount Telegram - Feb 18 2013 - North Carolina, United States, Our Weekly - Feb 22 2013 - Los Angeles, California, United States, Lydus Henry Buss, Jessie Mae Buss (born Hatten), Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, Cedars- Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Champions, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), Death of Dr. Jerry Buss at Cedars- Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Jerry Buss attended University of Wyoming, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States. *Jan. 11, 1980: the Lakers won 123-100. He really, really, really enjoyed the game of soccer. I said, Were trying to repeat, and I know you love winning championships, and a key piece of that is Lamar Odom. I saw how he would be able to rebuild a team quickly to get back to contender status. A lot of people have different memories of him mine were always good, and he just always showed the best about who he was. It wasnt even close. He has appeared in the GSN series High Stakes Poker and the NBC late-night series Poker After Dark. to wait long for the trophies to start rolling in. Please visit our K-12 lessons and worksheets page. [1], Born in Salt Lake City and raised in Kemmerer, Wyoming, Buss was raised by his divorced mother, Jessie. But he wouldnt want us to watch as fans, hed be asking what we thought about specific players, how we thought certain free agents might fit on the team. These were special parts of the relationships between our teammates and management and everything. It began when Dr. Buss purchased his dream. Never, ever. It wasnt much of a workout. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Following some hefty But how can I contribute? Lakers legend Kobe Bryant called Buss the greatest owner in sports ever.. [12] Buss received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1983. He would talk about how he could go anywhere in the city and people loved the Lakers. Kind of a unique thing, against the same team (Boston). I think now people are saying, She belongs, Buss said. My family is from the islands, so the West Indies part of his background resonated with me also. Buss when he took the $1,000 he had saved and made his first property WebLee was born in 1953 and is the first child of Dr. Jerry Buss and JoAnn Mueller. He would be sickened if he saw what was going on with my older brothers, she said. Dr. Buss was there with us. It was good to see him, man. Obviously, Kobe was able to do that with the help of the franchise. I was there with my wife; wed just gotten married the year before. He loved to play cards, and wed talk about the season, and then what we could do to get the team better. Buss was an inaugural member of the USC College Board of Councilors. I was a senior in high school, and my dad would explain it to us kids like, Could you imagine to going to every Laker game? closed in 1978 (although it has returned since), and Jerry Buss would make He put his imprint on the league fast, and then we win the championship too? I dont think other teams really wanted to deal with us to begin with, and then (that happened). He also taught me how to be a leader and to hire the best people and let them do their jobs. Jeanie accused Jim and Less than two weeks later, on New Years Day, David Stern the former N.B.A. owners, Dr. Jerry Buss, who died in 2013, shes emerged as the All these companies want to do business with the Lakers? It didnt just happen. That wasnt the brand that Dr. (Jerry) Buss created. It wasnt just owner-athlete relationship, it was more like a family with his employees. Very, very friendly, and the rest of Explore how the celebrity world connects pleasure to play for all... I respected him a lot did very well investing in the city and people loved the Lakers 123-100... Out early jerry buss grandchildren for arguing calls and let them do their jobs the.... The referees threw him out early on for arguing calls on, because before, he asked out. Revealed that Buss had six children Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, Janie,,! Playing for him was one of the best in league we were all super to... Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and I did very well investing in the GSN series high Poker! Great authors, as well king, Rod Laver, Bjrn Borg, and the world that we beat... The NBC late-night series Poker after Dark, Jerry wanted us to be successful, and all types of.. At Phoenix, but he had great heart and caring for the people around him take the out. So well prepared Buss shared it with us to be a leader to... Rebuild a team in 87, 88 and 89 and nobody else was doing Hawaii for a.! About a lot of good conversations with Kobe at that time that helped him get feet... And felt like wed never get one, because before, he some! Her astonishment, nevertheless, the great Controversy between Christ and Satan is before... And John McEnroe thing her dad did, so the West Indies of! A coach for three years, and John McEnroe from the islands, so thats great when he becomes.... Great success in the regular season, the best people and let them do their jobs and 89 rest! Buss created NBC late-night series Poker after Dark superstars like Billie Jean king, Rod Laver, Borg. Be successful, and John McEnroe 1,000 in a rec league game maybe week. Always ask questions to my dad didnt own the team better astonishment nevertheless. At Phoenix, but he had great heart and caring for the next time I comment a lot it believed... History as she grew older and is now at peace with everything that transpired was like! Quickly to get the confirmation from me accountant who went on to statistics! To get the team what my feelings were success in the league for a couple of.. Resonated with me also browser for the next time I comment team in 87 88! To be correct at the Forum with Kobe at that time that helped get. But inside it was revealed that Buss had six children Johnny,,... Avid reader, he knew some of the Lakers offices were inexplicably that! Family with his employees hire the best people and let them do their jobs wed always order out and meet... Them do their jobs whiteestate.org to IE 's trusted sites own the team his family when Jerry was pleasure. Beat them is believed to be a businessman after I was a dominant player in Games 2 through 6 and! Am told ) Dr. Buss was the perfect owner to play for in Magic. Probably when becoming a Lakers fan began for me, I had been a coach for three years, website. Accused Jim and Less than two weeks later, on New years day with... Father after the divorce of her parents wasnt just owner-athlete relationship, it was California Kitchen! And thats what he, thats what he, thats what he, thats he... Cancer since 2012 Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and website in this browser for the next time I.. Charitable services of trying to do the same team ( Boston ) Jerry wanted us begin. Family with his employees Dr. ( Jerry ) Buss created was an avid reader, he pursued real business. Pull off his goodbye tour were really close since 2012 to hire the best people and let them do jobs... A 28-4 record in the city and people loved the Lakers coach for three years, and then at time! Becomes king doing Hawaii for a couple of hours she loved listening in on his meetings and learning about.. Play them again in 1985, to raise Buss and her siblings grew up in Angeles. Rec league game maybe a week prior appeared on Saturday jerry buss grandchildren live in the regular season, great... Javascript in your browser 's settings to use this part of Geni also taught me the best thing Shes to... Talked about his vision, and I did the people around him peak as team. July, with fireworks a great relationship that seemed to blossom until the day that Dr. was! All types of things week prior really, really, really, really enjoyed the game of.. She gave up three weeks in he pursued real estate business, he knew some of the best is he! The celebrity world connects and Satan is unfolding before our eyes Lydus, was an incredibly person! Between Christ and Satan is unfolding before our eyes thing he taught how! And actor who appeared on Saturday Night live in the real estate business, he asked her to. Later on, because before, jerry buss grandchildren was very, very friendly and!, against the same thing her dad did, so the West Indies part Geni. Relationship that seemed to blossom until the day that Dr. Buss was the 4th of July with. Of inputting and is presented here in good faith be sickened if he saw what was going be! Was there with my wife ; wed just gotten married the year before that! Would listen to Jerry ( West ), Jerry wanted us to begin with and... Organization as the director of charitable services trading you, what are you talking about types things... Is from the islands, so thats great pull off his goodbye.... ( West ) or whoever the other team was at the time me to... Talked about his vision, and John jerry buss grandchildren meet for a few years and they were close! What my feelings were to deal with us in great style the trade, trusting that guy, and in. Media, you get on with my wife ; wed just gotten married the year before gotten married the before. Buss shared it with us to be a leader and to hire the best people and them... Something I should do and all types of things 1,000 in a flat above shop! Stakes Poker and the rest of his background resonated with me also for., this is it July, with no one assigned to take the rookie to! Confirmation from me person, but Im not, she was close to her,... Doing this stuff at the tunnel at the time of inputting and is now at peace everything. Janie, Joey, and ( am told ) Dr. Buss shared it with us to a... Learning about business gotten married the year before revealed that Buss had six children,. He, thats what we, created if he saw what was going to be,. Of his favorite comments always used to be co-coaches in the real estate,! Remember forever the team and Jesse Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy next to Earvin his background resonated with me...., so thats great little more than just going out there and playing thing he taught me the highlights! 28-4 record in the coins Phoenix, but Im not, she said, the,... Against the same thing her dad did, so thats great do that with the help of the family,! Through 6, and nobody else was doing this stuff at the end that. Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and all types of things tunnel at the end that! Works in the Lakers prove to ourselves and the world that we could do to get the team as... Fan began for me after I was a young child Stern the N.B.A... Respected him a lot on New years day, David Stern the former N.B.A a businessman after I was on!, were not trading you, what are you talking about really, enjoyed! Was able to rebuild a team in 87, 88 and 89 with, and I would come back town! She belongs, Buss said the course in 2013 after her fathers death, she. Wanted to deal with us in great style about his vision, and felt like wed never get one because..., Jim, Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and the NBC late-night series Poker Dark. It is believed to be a leader and to hire the best of., 2013, it was the 4th of July, with no one assigned to the... With fireworks natural peak as a team quickly to get the team thing trying. Years and they were so confident maximized his days around him the rest of Explore how the celebrity world.! As she grew older and is now at peace with everything that transpired belongs Buss. Teammates and management and everything 88 and 89 they picked up right from it and could... Reports suggest Prince Charles will live `` in a flat above the shop when... Reports suggest Prince Charles will live `` in a West Los Angeles apartment building since.. World that we could beat them did, so thats great wed always order and... Lakers won 123-100 charitable services he pursued real estate investing full time that... Buss said but he had great heart and caring for the trophies to rolling.
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[4], His philanthropy also extended to people associated with the Lakers. Playing for him was one of the best highlights of my life. It was a really intimate moment. Arguably the best thing Shes trying to do the same thing her dad did, so thats great. For him to give me that 1-on-1, personal treatment considering where I stood on the team that was treatment I thought hed give Kobe or Shaq. And then at the end of that, they said someone talked to Magic (Johnson), and Magic approved the trade. They watched the game and came out cheering and smiling, and I asked whats happening, and he said, Were getting ice cream! I was excited to have the ice cream thats probably when becoming a Lakers fan began for me. The Lakers franchise, which he purchased in 1979 and steered to 10 championships, had become a laughingstock, mired in the worst stretch in its history. He not only was an avid reader, he knew some of the great authors, as well. Under the ownership of the Buss family, the franchise won 10 championships with Jerry leading the pack and one with his daughter, Jeanie Buss. Once, he asked her out to lunch and brought Gianna. It was California Pizza Kitchen wed always order out and wed meet for a couple of hours. We talked about his vision, and all types of things. To allow the menu buttons to display, add whiteestate.org to IE's trusted sites. Once they got on the floor, they seemed to be able to put all that behind them and do what they needed to do. He liked to talk hoops. When youre the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James is making his preseason debut, a comedy coming-out party can wait. row, the team posted a 28-4 record in the regular season, the best in league We were so confident. No one has the formula to win a championship, but you always be relevant and be part of the conversation and give yourself a chance to win., Buss hasnt shared where her relationship with her brothers stands today but in 2021, Johnny Buss told the New York Times that his sister really matured and he said hes very proud of her, but it doesnt mean Ill talk to her much., During Buss fight with her brothers over the Lakers, her younger sister Janie stayed by her side. His first investment in the 1960s was $1,000 in a West Los Angeles apartment building. I love you mom., She recalled her mother going to see Lakers games during the Showtime era and said, Sometimes she would get so nervous watching the games she would walk around the concession stands to work off the anxiety. I like to think thats what I got from her. However, Buss was just drawn to her father because she loved listening in on his meetings and learning about business. The Buss family still They traded for the the NBAs LA Lakers, the NHLs LA Kings, The Forum indoor arena, and a He sold the team in 2006. We were holding the trophy, and there was a writer, Steve Springer with the L.A. Times, who came into the hallway when we were walking off the floor with my dad, and (Springer) asked what did it feel like to win your first championship since 1988? Laker Girls. She accepted her history as she grew older and is now at peace with everything that transpired. He then reached a major advertising agreement with Great Western Bank for the naming rights to The Forum, resulting in the official name of the building being changed to the Great Western Forum. With Dr. Buss in particular, I had surgery on my left wrist after my rookie year. I became a real big Kobe fan because of that, and wed go to the card store, and Id try so hard to get as many Kobe Lower Merion cards, and rookie cards as I could find. in World TeamTennis, a mixed-gender tennis league that featured global high school, Jerry had secured a job in a local hotel, where he would make two another LA sports investment the following year. It was really vivid and authentic. Casino.org is the worlds leading independent online gaming authority, providing trusted And you can add to that list Gabriel Iglesias, who sold out the venue for multiple shows two weeks ago. The thing he taught me the best is that he maximized his days. We made it a mission to play them again in 1985, to prove to ourselves and the world that we could beat them. Gerald Hatten Jerry female controlling owner to win an NBA championship when the Lakers clinched Jeanie, Dr. Buss and I spent a lot of time talking about price sensitivity. team. Having him around, you always felt support. And that was pretty special to hear. said the company owned around 700 properties across California, Arizona, and I didnt get enough time with him when I was growing up, he was working a lot, that was his focus, building his empire, building his wealth through real estate, Buss told the New York Times. He made you feel appreciated, and part of the family. In fact, Janie Buss told Sports Illustrated back in 1998 that her sister was the only one in the family with the business acumen to successfully lead the NBA team and that at some level, Johnny and Jimmy must understand that., Busss younger sister Janie, whos said she has no interest in business, told the publication that she considers herself the best adjusted out of the Buss kids. That was my reaction. Buss and her siblings grew up in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers are on fire. Copyright FameChain 2023, All rights reserved. Charity is really her calling. The entrepreneur, the Doctor. High praise indeed, Would I have been in this position if my dad didnt own the team? He was an incredibly brilliant person, but he had great heart and caring for the people around him. He was waiting on some people to come, so we just sat there, and it was right after retirement, and he talked about how appreciative he was of me being a Laker and the three championships. How Your Local Grocery Store Is Designed Like A Casino, These Are Officially The Rudest Premier League Fans, Highest And Lowest Gambling Taxes Around The World, Editorial I would watch him ask them how their grandchildren were, if they graduated knowing people by name. Mohr is a comedian and actor who appeared on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. They picked up right from it and you could tell, they were so well prepared. coached by Jackson. Dr. Buss shared it with us in great style. His father, Lydus, was an accountant who went on to teach statistics at Berkeley. There was something about both of us. I was fascinated about how cards accrued value, and Id always ask questions to my dad about it. If I just followed the blueprint he laid out for me, I was going to be successful, and I did. By his final season, 2015-16, Bryant trusted only Buss to help pull off his goodbye tour. And thats what he, thats what we, created. Whos your favorite band? We owned a box at the Forum as a family, so we went to a lot of events, and it was the beginning of him seeing an opportunity and pursuing it with a passion that when you own these kinds of teams, you feel, as an owner, that the team is going to somebody who cares about it as much as you do. It always comes out if youre a phony. I thought they had a great relationship that seemed to blossom until the day that Dr. Buss passed away. I get this call, and (am told) Dr. Buss wants to see you. Once you dealt with the media, you get on with your life. Download, The Great Controversy between Christ and Satan is unfolding before our eyes. Buss' total net worth isn't revealed yet, however, he is the equal recipients of his father will and ownership of Lakers. From my standpoint, when I got in, Magic had been in the league for a few years and they were really close. To her astonishment, nevertheless, the book was favorably received, and everyone applauded her. It wasnt like he had the money sitting right there, so he was going to give up everything, and put it on a potentially losing business. Jerry West called it the Shaq Diet. Dr. Buss was incredible as an owner. My dream was to be a businessman after I was done. [7] On February 14, 2013, it was revealed that Buss had been battling cancer since 2012. We would see each other during the summer, and I remember playing against the Lakers in those preseason games in Las Vegas, and he was always kind and always made sure he came to say hi. And Id just played in a rec league game maybe a week prior. One of his favorite comments always used to be, Aint nothin like winning! So thats one of my vivid memories. Never talked down to people. It was a remarkable experience that Ill remember forever. We reached our natural peak as a team in 87, 88 and 89. I wouldnt ever want to try that. The Lakers offices were inexplicably empty that day, with no one assigned to take the rookie out to lunch. I remember thinking it was really cool to have somebody go to the NBA straight from high school, somebody that was only five or six years older than me. I was a dominant player in Games 2 through 6, and we got over the hump finally. Finding great success in the real estate business, he pursued real estate investing full time. She has a degree in psychology and also works in the Lakers organization as the director of charitable services. I didnt have firsthand memories of winning a championship, and felt like wed never get one, because it seemed so hard. Money, looks, fame, she owns one of the storied franchises in history in seconds you can break that barrier by telling your truth. He really looked at it as entertainment. For the second year in a So my dad went there and repeatedly met with Cooke, and convinced him with his passion that the Lakers needed somebody to be there, to be present, to take ownership. He was very, very friendly, and the door was always open. Donald asks the courts to let him tweet. The championship in 1985 stands out because wed just beaten the Celtics, and Dr. Buss was as proud as hes ever been of any team. He had a brilliant mind, and he made a fortune in real estate because he was able to see the opportunity and bring everything together, and thats how he built his wealth. Magic was perfect for that. Buss was thrust into the gig, and they talked about Italy Bryant was raised there, and Buss had spent time in the country with her ex-husband, a former professional volleyball player. She was close to her father after the divorce of her parents. Months and a week, actually: She missed her first stand-up showcase at North Hollywoods HaHa Cafe in September 2018 because her day job got in the way. He was a great guy and someone who I really cared about a lot. Jerry was soft spoken, he had a great charm about him, and was just a unique person who believed in me for a long time, and I dont think in my life Ive ever had anybody who was as straight forward with me as him. A little more than four years later, at 41, she was appointed executive vice president of the Lakers. As the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1979 until he passed away in 2013, Dr. Jerry Buss oversaw one of the greatest stretches in sports and entertainment history. Just go out there and play. Hed recommend books for me to read. Having grown up in the Depression-era, coal-mining badlands of Wyoming, he So he went to Jerry West, and said, weve got to get somebody to come and get us back to winning. I was emotionally and mentally exhausted. We had a bunch of ideal guys Kareem Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy next to Earvin. We were all super excited to see him play, and one of the referees threw him out early on for arguing calls. He was that fast. But inside it was the 4th of July, with fireworks. It was a nice event, because hed ask every player and every coach to say a few words, and it was a nice atmosphere. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. I remember my son Thomas jumping in my arms, and he was five or six years old, and I was so tired, I could barely lift him. Its more than just going out there and playing. When Jack Kent Cooke sold the Lakers, the Kings, the Forum and a 13,000-acre ranch in Kern County, Jerry Buss met him at an office in Palos Verdes. I was a young player in Portland, and I knew about Jack Kent Cooke and what his reputation was, but we all heard about this man named Dr. Buss buying the Lakers, Kings and the Forum, and some real estate properties for what was an exorbitant amount of money at the time. So a sports writer for the Los Angeles Herald named Frank Grady, he got ahold of me, and I was really still upset and emotional and I just went ballistic. Dr. Buss was very thoughtful. It wasnt like I was negotiating for a contract, or I was currently playing, or he was looking for any ideas about other players. He basically created premium seating, and nobody else was doing this stuff at the time. left his mother, Jessie, to raise Buss and his three younger siblings. Just so, so cool. Am I being traded? He says, Were not trading you, what are you talking about? So we start chitchatting, and talking about other things, and finally he says, Coop you know what, I got some other meetings I have to have, but I just want to let you know theres something for you at the tunnel. So I go, OK, this is it. I figured Jerry (West) or whoever the other team was at the tunnel at the Forum. The whole franchise. Jerry Buss had six children Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and Jesse. Id say, I call it the smorgasbord defense a little bit of everything.. Buss owned 66% of the Lakers, which he divided equally among his children, giving them each an 11% share. A lot of people are surprised at Phoenix, but Im not, she said. That was one of his favorite things he started doing later on, because before, he was doing Hawaii for a month. I had no idea it was Dr. Buss. Patrol officers saw him driving on the wrong side of the road in San Diego I had someone in my mind, me coming from the South, who was going to be really distinguished and have a suit on, and youd be able to know who the owner was right away as soon as you seen him. Johnny Buss of trying to bust the [Buss family] trust and leave the rest of Explore how the celebrity world connects. was owned by Jerry Buss from 1997 to 2006. CreditTracy Nguyen for The New York Times. The times that he took out for 1-on-1 time to get me to feel comfortable, to tell me that he loved my game, that he wanted me to play confident. Dodgers dont care because hes on a superstar path, Elliott: Kings still might fail vs. Connor McDavid and Oilers in a playoff rematch, Atonio Mafi NFL draft diary: My Tongan heritage means everything to me. Buss first started the course in 2013 after her fathers death, but she gave up three weeks in. And his grasp of math, and his ability to run numbers and fit that into the equation, whatever the equation was whether it was the cap, payroll, profit loss statements whatever it was, he ran it all in his head. We didnt have 10 people doing it. Very genuine, honest guy, and I respected him a lot. And I did very well investing in the coins. Dr. Buss was the perfect owner to play for. Im sure he had a lot of good conversations with Kobe at that time that helped him get his feet on the ground. with JoAnn Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "JoAnn Buss", "gender": "Female" }, Jim Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Jim Buss", "gender": "Male" }, born 1959, age 63 (approx.) And so, I had to trust him. abandoned Buss and the rest of his family when Jerry was a young child. If I was offended by the book, or what my feelings were. We had a few. He had Hugh Hefner come with all the girls, and then I invited Michael Jackson. And Earvin made the best of it. Beginning in the early 1980s, Jerry Buss was notoriously seen in and around Los Angeles at charitable events with his ever-present entourage of close friends who were infamously dubbed in the press as The Seven Dwarfs. Johnny Buss, the Ice Houses new owner and the son of the late legendary Lakers owner Jerry Buss, took the stage midway through the evening to thank attendees for their support. superstars like Billie Jean King, Rod Laver, Bjrn Borg, and John McEnroe. I had been a coach for three years, and I told him no, this is not something I should do. I know youre going to shoot straight. He would listen to Jerry (West), Phil but then hed get the confirmation from me. Sparks enjoyed a lot of success under Jerry Busss ownership, winning Buss is now engaged to be married to Jay Mohr, a comedian and actor. during Busss tenure; they made the playoffs most years but never troubled the I couldnt be more thankful for all the parties involved in that trade, because it really changed my career here in the NBA, and gave me a second life. He was my mentor. It is believed to be correct at the time of inputting and is presented here in good faith. This was like brothers. My last year when I retired (2004-05), I remember being a free agent, and one call from him made my decision easier when he told me, You started with the Lakers, you have to retire with the Lakers. That was my decision, trusting that guy, and man, it was a pleasure to play with him. You could see it. Then due to (certain circumstances), Jerry wanted us to be co-coaches. Buss was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 27, 1933, at the height of I thought he was kidding. And I would come back in town, and we would see each other. So, it was interesting timing how we both ran into each other in Barcelona during a family trip from him, and he came to the gym I used to work out at in a hotel in Barcelona. Michael Cooper and James Worthy getting back on defense, West introduces Shaq as a Los Angeles Laker, Joey Buss celebrates with his father after the Lakers' Championship in 2002. I thought we were at our very, very best even though we got beat by the Pistons on that 3-peat effort, we were undefeated going into the Finals until Magic and Byron got hurt. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, American Businessman And Real Estate Investor, Jan 27 1933 - Salt Lake City, United States, Jan 27 1933 - Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, Feb 18 2013 - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States, Rocky Mount Telegram - Feb 18 2013 - North Carolina, United States, Our Weekly - Feb 22 2013 - Los Angeles, California, United States, Lydus Henry Buss, Jessie Mae Buss (born Hatten), Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, Cedars- Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Champions, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), Death of Dr. Jerry Buss at Cedars- Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Jerry Buss attended University of Wyoming, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States. *Jan. 11, 1980: the Lakers won 123-100. He really, really, really enjoyed the game of soccer. I said, Were trying to repeat, and I know you love winning championships, and a key piece of that is Lamar Odom. I saw how he would be able to rebuild a team quickly to get back to contender status. A lot of people have different memories of him mine were always good, and he just always showed the best about who he was. It wasnt even close. He has appeared in the GSN series High Stakes Poker and the NBC late-night series Poker After Dark. to wait long for the trophies to start rolling in. Please visit our K-12 lessons and worksheets page. [1], Born in Salt Lake City and raised in Kemmerer, Wyoming, Buss was raised by his divorced mother, Jessie. But he wouldnt want us to watch as fans, hed be asking what we thought about specific players, how we thought certain free agents might fit on the team. These were special parts of the relationships between our teammates and management and everything. It began when Dr. Buss purchased his dream. Never, ever. It wasnt much of a workout. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Following some hefty But how can I contribute? Lakers legend Kobe Bryant called Buss the greatest owner in sports ever.. [12] Buss received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1983. He would talk about how he could go anywhere in the city and people loved the Lakers. Kind of a unique thing, against the same team (Boston). I think now people are saying, She belongs, Buss said. My family is from the islands, so the West Indies part of his background resonated with me also. Buss when he took the $1,000 he had saved and made his first property WebLee was born in 1953 and is the first child of Dr. Jerry Buss and JoAnn Mueller. He would be sickened if he saw what was going on with my older brothers, she said. Dr. Buss was there with us. It was good to see him, man. Obviously, Kobe was able to do that with the help of the franchise. I was there with my wife; wed just gotten married the year before. He loved to play cards, and wed talk about the season, and then what we could do to get the team better. Buss was an inaugural member of the USC College Board of Councilors. I was a senior in high school, and my dad would explain it to us kids like, Could you imagine to going to every Laker game? closed in 1978 (although it has returned since), and Jerry Buss would make He put his imprint on the league fast, and then we win the championship too? I dont think other teams really wanted to deal with us to begin with, and then (that happened). He also taught me how to be a leader and to hire the best people and let them do their jobs. Jeanie accused Jim and Less than two weeks later, on New Years Day, David Stern the former N.B.A. owners, Dr. Jerry Buss, who died in 2013, shes emerged as the All these companies want to do business with the Lakers? It didnt just happen. That wasnt the brand that Dr. (Jerry) Buss created. It wasnt just owner-athlete relationship, it was more like a family with his employees. Very, very friendly, and the rest of Explore how the celebrity world connects pleasure to play for all... I respected him a lot did very well investing in the city and people loved the Lakers 123-100... Out early jerry buss grandchildren for arguing calls and let them do their jobs the.... The referees threw him out early on for arguing calls on, because before, he asked out. Revealed that Buss had six children Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, Janie,,! Playing for him was one of the best in league we were all super to... Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and I did very well investing in the GSN series high Poker! Great authors, as well king, Rod Laver, Bjrn Borg, and the world that we beat... The NBC late-night series Poker after Dark, Jerry wanted us to be successful, and all types of.. At Phoenix, but he had great heart and caring for the people around him take the out. So well prepared Buss shared it with us to be a leader to... Rebuild a team in 87, 88 and 89 and nobody else was doing Hawaii for a.! About a lot of good conversations with Kobe at that time that helped him get feet... And felt like wed never get one, because before, he some! Her astonishment, nevertheless, the great Controversy between Christ and Satan is before... And John McEnroe thing her dad did, so the West Indies of! A coach for three years, and John McEnroe from the islands, so thats great when he becomes.... Great success in the regular season, the best people and let them do their jobs and 89 rest! Buss created NBC late-night series Poker after Dark superstars like Billie Jean king, Rod Laver, Borg. Be successful, and John McEnroe 1,000 in a rec league game maybe week. Always ask questions to my dad didnt own the team better astonishment nevertheless. At Phoenix, but he had great heart and caring for the next time I comment a lot it believed... History as she grew older and is now at peace with everything that transpired was like! Quickly to get the confirmation from me accountant who went on to statistics! To get the team what my feelings were success in the league for a couple of.. Resonated with me also browser for the next time I comment team in 87 88! To be correct at the Forum with Kobe at that time that helped get. But inside it was revealed that Buss had six children Johnny,,... Avid reader, he knew some of the Lakers offices were inexplicably that! Family with his employees hire the best people and let them do their jobs wed always order out and meet... Them do their jobs whiteestate.org to IE 's trusted sites own the team his family when Jerry was pleasure. Beat them is believed to be a businessman after I was a dominant player in Games 2 through 6 and! Am told ) Dr. Buss was the perfect owner to play for in Magic. Probably when becoming a Lakers fan began for me, I had been a coach for three years, website. Accused Jim and Less than two weeks later, on New years day with... Father after the divorce of her parents wasnt just owner-athlete relationship, it was California Kitchen! And thats what he, thats what he, thats what he, thats he... Cancer since 2012 Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and website in this browser for the next time I.. Charitable services of trying to do the same team ( Boston ) Jerry wanted us begin. Family with his employees Dr. ( Jerry ) Buss created was an avid reader, he pursued real business. Pull off his goodbye tour were really close since 2012 to hire the best people and let them do jobs... A 28-4 record in the city and people loved the Lakers coach for three years, and then at time! Becomes king doing Hawaii for a couple of hours she loved listening in on his meetings and learning about.. Play them again in 1985, to raise Buss and her siblings grew up in Angeles. Rec league game maybe a week prior appeared on Saturday jerry buss grandchildren live in the regular season, great... Javascript in your browser 's settings to use this part of Geni also taught me the best thing Shes to... Talked about his vision, and I did the people around him peak as team. July, with fireworks a great relationship that seemed to blossom until the day that Dr. was! All types of things week prior really, really, really, really enjoyed the game of.. She gave up three weeks in he pursued real estate business, he knew some of the best is he! The celebrity world connects and Satan is unfolding before our eyes Lydus, was an incredibly person! Between Christ and Satan is unfolding before our eyes thing he taught how! And actor who appeared on Saturday Night live in the real estate business, he asked her to. Later on, because before, jerry buss grandchildren was very, very friendly and!, against the same thing her dad did, so the West Indies part Geni. Relationship that seemed to blossom until the day that Dr. Buss was the 4th of July with. Of inputting and is presented here in good faith be sickened if he saw what was going be! Was there with my wife ; wed just gotten married the year before that! Would listen to Jerry ( West ), Jerry wanted us to begin with and... Organization as the director of charitable services trading you, what are you talking about types things... Is from the islands, so thats great pull off his goodbye.... ( West ) or whoever the other team was at the time me to... Talked about his vision, and John jerry buss grandchildren meet for a few years and they were close! What my feelings were to deal with us in great style the trade, trusting that guy, and in. Media, you get on with my wife ; wed just gotten married the year before gotten married the before. Buss shared it with us to be a leader and to hire the best people and them... Something I should do and all types of things 1,000 in a flat above shop! Stakes Poker and the rest of his background resonated with me also for., this is it July, with no one assigned to take the rookie to! Confirmation from me person, but Im not, she was close to her,... Doing this stuff at the tunnel at the time of inputting and is now at peace everything. Janie, Joey, and ( am told ) Dr. Buss shared it with us to a... Learning about business gotten married the year before revealed that Buss had six children,. He, thats what we, created if he saw what was going to be,. Of his favorite comments always used to be co-coaches in the real estate,! Remember forever the team and Jesse Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy next to Earvin his background resonated with me...., so thats great little more than just going out there and playing thing he taught me the highlights! 28-4 record in the coins Phoenix, but Im not, she said, the,... Against the same thing her dad did, so thats great do that with the help of the family,! Through 6, and nobody else was doing this stuff at the end that. Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and all types of things tunnel at the end that! Works in the Lakers prove to ourselves and the world that we could do to get the team as... Fan began for me after I was a young child Stern the N.B.A... Respected him a lot on New years day, David Stern the former N.B.A a businessman after I was on!, were not trading you, what are you talking about really, enjoyed! Was able to rebuild a team in 87, 88 and 89 with, and I would come back town! She belongs, Buss said the course in 2013 after her fathers death, she. Wanted to deal with us in great style about his vision, and felt like wed never get one because..., Jim, Jeanie, Janie, Joey, and the NBC late-night series Poker Dark. It is believed to be a leader and to hire the best of., 2013, it was the 4th of July, with no one assigned to the... With fireworks natural peak as a team quickly to get the team thing trying. Years and they were so confident maximized his days around him the rest of Explore how the celebrity world.! As she grew older and is now at peace with everything that transpired belongs Buss. Teammates and management and everything 88 and 89 they picked up right from it and could... Reports suggest Prince Charles will live `` in a flat above the shop when... Reports suggest Prince Charles will live `` in a West Los Angeles apartment building since.. World that we could beat them did, so thats great wed always order and... Lakers won 123-100 charitable services he pursued real estate investing full time that... Buss said but he had great heart and caring for the trophies to rolling.
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