Jeanie Buss becomes controlling owner of Los Angeles Lakers

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The Buss family asked a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge to issue an order ensuring that Jeanie Buss will become the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and retain her seat on the organization's board of directors as long as the team is owned by the Buss family.

"The month-long fight between Jeanie Buss and her brothers, Jim and Johnny, to control the Lakers is over," the Los Angeles Times reported.

After the Lakers' former owner Jerry Buss died in 2013, his daughter Jeanie Buss took over as franchise president, while his son Jim Buss was president of basketball operations. Meanwhile, all six Buss siblings inherited an equal share of their father's 66% stake in the team.

The family battle over control of the team started when Jeanie Buss fired Jim Buss and replaced him with Magic Johnson on February 21.

"Jim and Johnny Buss responded their sister's decisions by calling a shareholders meeting...with the intent of removing Jeanie from her role as the controlling owner," according to ESPN.

The Los Angeles Times reported last Friday that Jeanie went to Los Angeles County Superior Court "with a thick stack of documents...(seeking) a restraining order against her brothers Jim and Johnny," in order to prevent them from ousting her as the team's president and controlling stakeholder.

Jeanie Buss was successful in her suit and Jim Buss resigned as co-trustee. Their younger sister Janie Buss will replace him, joining Jeanie and Johnny Buss as co-trustees, according to court documents.

"Now with the Lakers having the ability to focus on the basketball court and not the legal court," Adam Streisand, Jeanie's attorney, told the Los Angeles Times, adding "I think all Lakers fans can breathe a sigh of relief."

"The message is clear here: Do not underestimate Jeanie Buss. There is not going to be a palace coup. Not now. Not ever," warned Streisand. Endit

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