Things are starting to get ugly within the Los Angeles Lakers organization following an overhaul of the team’s front office. Team president Jeanie Buss has reportedly filed a restraining order against her brothers Jim and Johnny Buss, according to Nathan Fenno and Bill Plaschke of the L.A. Times:
Jeanie Buss has thwarted an effort by her brothers, Jim and Johnny, to oust her as the Lakers president and controlling owner as the behind the scenes battle for control of the franchise moved into the courtroom.
Attorneys for Jeanie Buss sought a temporary restraining order in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday to prevent the brothers from holding a meeting next week to elect a new board of directors for the team that didn’t include her. In order to be the controlling owner, she has to be a director.
Jeanie made a bold move recently to relieve Jim of his role as vice president of basketball operations. Buss also parted ways with longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak and vice president of public relations, John Black.
Magic Johnson was recently named the new president of basketball operations for the Lakers to replace her brother. Rob Pelinka, a former agent of star players Kobe Bryant and James Harden, is expected to be named the successor to Kupchak as the team’s new general manager.
Obviously, Jim and Johnny took exception to the changes made by Jeanie creating some internal strife within the Buss family.
According to Jeanie’s lawyer, Adam Streisand, Jim and Johnny’s move to remove her as team president is destined to fail, via the L.A. Times:
“This is no doubt the beginning and not the end of the game-playing,” Adam Streisand, the attorney for Jeanie Buss, told The Times. “They don’t have a legal leg to stand on. This is a legal strategy doomed for failure.”
It appears the saga continues with Jim and Johnny unhappy with the direction of the franchise following the front office shakeup. Although Jeanie was able to derail this attempt by her brothers, it may not be the end if they’re determined to remove her as team president.
