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Jim Buss was removed from his post as the Los Angeles Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations last month, but he apparently isn’t done fighting for the franchise.
According to Nathan Fenno and Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times, Lakers president and controlling owner 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.”
The two brothers reportedly wanted to hold a meeting without Jeanie that would have attempted “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 Buss fired her brother Jim, and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, last month and installed Magic Johnson as the Lakers’ new president of basketball operations. It was reported at the time that Jim Buss had put a lawyer on retainer, and it would appear this was the reason why.
According to Jeanie Buss’ lawyer, it all may be a moot point:
“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.”
The L.A. Times reports that “the brothers withdrew the request in court Friday after Jeanie Buss asked for the restraining order.”
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN had more details on the latest Lakers drama:
This was today. But Jeanie's lawyers pushed for a trial to resolve this once and for all. A trial date has been set for May 15.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) March 3, 2017
The Lakers have to vote on a board of directors and controlling owner every year.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) March 3, 2017
This was today. But Jeanie's lawyers pushed for a trial to resolve this once and for all. A trial date has been set for May 15.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) March 3, 2017
Since 2013 there have been three votes to affirm Jeanie as controlling owner. This years vote has not taken place yet
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) March 3, 2017
After what initially appeared to be a peaceful transition of power at the top of the Lakers, there now appears to be a potentially ugly battle for the team on the horizon.
It’s unlikely this will be the last attempt by Jim to regain some sort of decision-making power in the organization, and while this court battle appears dead, it probably won’t be the last time lawyers get involved.
Stay tuned to Silver Screen and Roll for updates on this developing story.
Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.