Forbes released their annual list of the most powerful women in sports and Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss found herself near the top, ranking eighth overall.
One of the only female owners in all of American sports, Buss’ standing is only furthered by the fact that she is in charge of the Lakers, previously ranked by Forbes as the second-most valuable franchise in the NBA. Very few organizations have the history and legacy of the Lakers and Buss has looked to continue that ever since inheriting the franchise from her father, Dr. Jerry Buss.
Jeanie is known to be extremely well-respected amongst her NBA peers, being extremely intelligent on the business side of things while allowing those in charge of the basketball side to do their job without too much meddling.
When she needs to step up and speak out, however, she has no problem doing so as she showed during the family drama that ensued with brother Jim trying to oust her from power.
She moved swiftly to end that possibility and her decisions to replace Jim and general manager Mitch Kupchak with Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka have already begun turning things around for the franchise.
Buss runs the Lakers with a level of class that very few people, man or woman, can match and she is more than deserving of her spot on this list. She is joined on Forbes’ list by a number of other powerful women from all different backgrounds and sports.
At the top of the list is Executive Director of the NBA Players Association Michele Roberts. She is followed by CEO of International Speedway Corporation and NASCAR Vice Chairwoman Lesa France Kennedy, tennis superstar Serena Williams, Executive VP of ESPN Christine Driessen, and Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King and member of the NCAA Basketball Commission Condoleeza Rice just precede Buss on this list while Co-President of WWE Michelle Wilson and Senior VP of Baseball Operations for MLB Kim Ng round out the top-10.
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