Lakers governer Buss contesting siblings' plans to sell ownership stake

Josh Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared, and former Disney chief executive Bob Iger agreed a deal to buy the controlling interest in the Los Angeles Lakers at a valuation of $12.5 billion (£9.3bn) - a record for a professional sports team

Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is contesting her siblings' plans to sell the family's remaining 17.8 per cent ownership stake in the team.

Josh Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared, and former Disney chief executive Bob Iger agreed a deal earlier this month to buy the controlling interest in the Lakers at a valuation of $12.5bn (£9.3bn) - a record for a professional sports team.

Kushner and Iger are reportedly buying about 65 per cent of the team from Mark Walter, who also owns a stake in baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers along with Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly. They would own about 83 per cent if they also reach a deal with the Buss family.

Jeanie Buss has been the Lakers' governor since 2013 and the death of her father Jerry Buss, who had purchased the team in 1979.

She led the family's move to sell a controlling stake of the team to Walter last year at a valuation of $10bn, in a deal that ensured she remained in position until 2030.

The decision to sell would end Jeanie's tenure, because the job requires at least 15 per cent ownership of the team.

The Buss family released a statement on Monday, saying: "We have decided as a family to sell the remaining Buss Family Trust shares to the Bob Iger group as part of the ongoing transaction.

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