But Buss was wise to plan early for the team and make his wishes specific and legally binding. privacy policy | Id have at least expected a phone call or something. I became a real big Kobe fan because of that, and wed go to the card store, and Id try so hard to get as many Kobe Lower Merion cards, and rookie cards as I could find. Later on, Dancing Barry. Jim worked as the President of Los Angeles Lazers from 1985 (to 1989), succeeding his elder brother in the role. It was an extension of the brand, a way to reach Los Angeles. After Jerrys death, his children took up various roles within the organization, with Jeanie Buss ultimately becoming the president and controlling owner of the Lakers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Or to USC football games. What a unique talent he was. Dr. Buss told me how (Stone) came up with the title. (Eventually) I became his eyes and ears about college players. He was one of the first people to do it, and now its commonplace. Immediately when Dr. Buss bought the team, he invited me to the party, and he said, You know Jamaal, if Muhammad wont come to the mountain, the mountain will come to Muhammad. Theres a very subtle story there, because what he was saying is, we could both reach out. Bachelor of Science degree. I knew he and Magic were really close. His father, Lydus, left the family when Jerry was an infant. Never raised his voice, and that inspired people. But one things I remember that stood out to me, as nice as Dr. Buss was, he was really a good owner but he looked at me and said, Look, I understand youre upset. restaurant in the Forum into a nightclub, bringing glitz, glamour, and celebrities Kind of a unique thing, against the same team (Boston). I dont do death very well. All six of his children worked. And especially on airplanes, hed always ask me what I was reading, because he was an avid reader. We got something new, but we also got something that even if we didnt get Shaquille, we got a draw. Trying to clear the air. Thats why we got together so much. in 1972), and Joey and Jesse with his girlfriend Karen Demel. Fortunately, we put together a miraculous comeback. Buss was an inaugural member of the USC College Board of Councilors. And then we went and celebrated together again. It was a long time before the other franchises got wise like that. allowed celebs and the mega-rich to attend games, enjoy refreshments and Buss purchased the team, reported to be worth around $1 billion, in 1979. He would listen to things. And I offered Vlade Divac to everyone, a starting center. Dr. Buss was one of those guys. The 2013 World Series of Poker held The $2,500 Seven Card Stud tournament in his memory and drew 246 entrants. Shortly thereafter, we got Pau Gasol, and the rest is history. And he had an ability to let Bill Sharman, Jerry West, Pete Newell make important decisions that he didnt have the background to make. So he asked me and Pat if wed be co-coaches, and I said Id consider it for a month. The three-peat was not There was no jealousy at all that he had that kind of relationship and Magic would surround himself with Dr. Buss and captains of industry. It was our father's often stated desire and expectation that the Lakers remain in the Buss family. It became a happening. In addition, the fund was used for two endowed chairs and an endowed scholarship fund for students with a chemistry degree. After the test, he was found intoxicated with a blood-alcohol level of over 0.08 percentage and was taken into custody. I worked with Jeanie and Linda trying to get a place, get as much content as we can, and to discuss how we could make it tasteful what we should give to this man and to the community. I dont think an owner of a team should be someone that just sat back thinking about making, Well, it will make me X amount each year. Dr. Buss was passionate about it. Then he wanted to work out for us one more time, so Michael Cooper, whod been retired for a year or two, we asked him to come out and participate. The first hour was always just talking and telling stories and visiting. It was just really cool. When he bought the Forum, it was called the Forum. coming from one of the greatest basketball players ever, who also tragically During the Finals in Philly in 2001, we would get cheesesteaks before the games. And that resonated all the way back to Los Angeles. Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who presided over a team that won 10 NBA titles and showcased some of the biggest names in professional basketball, died Monday. You might already have assumed that this businessman and owner of an NBA basketball team is a multi-millionaire. back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002. February 18, 2013, aged 80. Buss became the third Laker to enter the Hall as a contributor, alongside Chick Hearn and Pete Newell. [30][32] His daughter took over the Lakers on March 27, 2017. superstars like Billie Jean King, Rod Laver, Bjrn Borg, and John McEnroe. He was a little bit more military stylistic of leadership than Jerry was. But I do remember saying I dont know who management is.. He brought Magic in, and they formed a bond right away. He really was in a lot of ways a mentor, in business, in life and in basketball. He was in the entertainment business. Not much is known about Johnnys early life or educational background. Wed come up with Steve Blake and Matt Barnes, and my dad was fully supportive of it, and cleared it with Mitch and Jim, and we ended up signing them. We were out there on family vacation, and (Dr. Buss) was in Italy, and he hopped a plane to come sit with me. It wasnt like I was negotiating for a contract, or I was currently playing, or he was looking for any ideas about other players. success on the hardwood that defined Busss ownership of the Lakers; he There was another interesting time back home in North Carolina when I was watching the draft on TV, and nobody had been talking about me being traded, and I hadnt heard any rumors or anything. It was like watching a 17-year-old guy just batter a 30-something year old guy, and youd expect itd be a lot more balanced than that. Naming rights. Now, HBO's 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' provides a dramatized version of that period. widespread reactions from the sports world and beyond. I cant do that! He said, Well thats what I had in mind. I said, I cant pick up the tab for a whole group of people! And that was the end of our betting routine. The sale of the team would require a majority vote among the six children. The NBA and US sport, in If I just followed the blueprint he laid out for me, I was going to be successful, and I did. Were just talking basketball for hours, until 2 a.m., and Im telling him about how I love being a talent evaluator. I didnt get a phone call, or any kind of notification that, Well, Jerrys leaving, Mitch, and Im hiring you. I remember Jerry West retiring, and me saying, OK, whos the GM going to be? I think somebody asked me to reach out to Dr. Buss, and Dr. Buss said, Well Mitch, of course you are. I said, Thank you very much. I think he assumed it, but of course I didnt assume it. [2], Buss' marriage to the former JoAnn Mueller ended in divorce in 1972 after having five children: Lee (b. some siblings selling their 11% stake in the team (valued at $3 billion at the I havent seen that a lot in my 11 years being around the league, owners being that human. Jerry West called it the Shaq Diet. The league wasnt faring that well prior to 1979, for whatever the reasons were, so whether it was Magic, Dr. Buss or a combination of things that coincided with their arrival, it helped save this league and helped pave the way for all of us to do what we do today. He loved to jump on it. Between 2006 and 2011, Id see him when I was coaching, and wed reflect on memories. The Buss siblings have occasionally butted heads in the past, such as with the hiring of coach Mike DAntoni over Phil Jackson, the fiance of one of the Buss children. After that, Jeanies brothers tried to have Jeanie removed as the president and controlling owner. He was as down to earth and cool as everybody said he was. There was a lot of worry on the part of Jerry West. Remarkably, the Lakers made the Finals in nearly half the seasons he was in charge (16). At the time, we were marveling at how much a Michael Jordan rookie card was in the early 1990s. Magics mom was a Seventh Day Adventist, and they have similar dietary restrictions as Muslims, and she was aware of my faith, so she would cook for me and take care of me when I was on the road and wed cut through and play in Detroit. Hed recommend books for me to read. Dont talk about the owner. Kurt Rambis doing his usual mischief, (having fun) with Dr. Buss. He was always sitting behind the bench during games and was such a basketball junkie, he just loved being around. This was the start of a lifetime of Jerry Buss died of kidney failure on February 18, 2013. The next season, they wanted more of a team, so they called them the Golden Girls, and they had big pom poms. Read More: Where is Jerry Buss Daughter Jeanie Buss Now? We didnt plan to meet, but after work one time, I stopped at Dan Tanas by myself. That was my reaction. There was prime real estate, and it was about location, location, location. Jerry Buss Children Johnny Buss born 1956, age 66 (approx.) Click here to Start FameChaining. He would do math tricks when we were going places all the time. He was a brilliant, incredible owner, but he was even a better person with a great heart. In the mid to late 1970s, Dr. Buss owned the Los Angeles Strings of World Team Tennis. I didnt think we were going to get a chance to draft Kobe. Wed sit around, wed talk. There was no social media, nothing to really distract you. at the story behind the success. Moreover, he also became an inaugural member of the USC College Board of Councilors. That was wonderful, to get my game back in gear for the next five games (after the Memorial Day Massacre). After the divorce, Jerry started dating Karen Demel, with whom he had two more children, Joey Buss in 1985 and Jesse Buss in 1988. Moreover, many big athletes, including Kobe Bryant, said a positive message about Buss as the Greatest Owner in sports ever.. He was an incredibly visionary. He said, I think the desire to be an owner left when my dad passed away. Sadly, the couple couldnt last forever and got divorced in 1972. Theyll like this! and his business partner, Frank Mariani, established MarianiBuss Associates. I didnt realize this was a thing, where you get handed this trophy from the commissioner and do a speech. early positions in the aerospace industry and USCs chemistry faculty. 5 stars - That would be incredible.. He wanted me to be the highest paid assistant in the NBA. After his parents divorce, he moved to Los Angeles with his mother at the age of nine. What are we arguing about? Coincidentally, I went to work out the next morning, and I was looking for gyms out there. Just so, so cool. The Finals were tough, though, against Boston. Gerald Hatten Buss, an American businessman, investor, chemist, and philanthropist, was born on January 27, 1933. I went there in the morning, and it was rare, because Pau never wakes up in the morning to work out! There was a lot of pressure, but Dr. Buss I think took a lot of that pressure off of us. In 2013, after Jerry Buss passed away, all six Buss siblings were given an equal shareholding in the LA Lakers franchise. You could say he and Steinbrenner were the first to grow probably bigger than the franchise. He was big on that. The stake could legally be sold off entirely, but given the familys devotion to the team, the Lakers are sure to stay with them. Similarly, on May 29, 2007, he was caught by California Highway Patrol officers for citation of driving under the influence. He died on February 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California, USA. was another memorable one, as the team clinched their second successive After Jerrys death, Jeanie became the president of the Lakers. But he took the time (with me) a couple of times a year. inductee. [26] Buss was buried on February 22 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) in a private ceremony with family and close friends. Dr. Buss always carried himself (with a tremendous) level of humility. But I have to do it.. In contrast, Buss sons are primarily absent from the narrative for the most part. I remember being in the Finals against Philadelphia, and we were at the hotel bar of the team hotel. It wouldnt just be me reaching out. A new 10-part docuseries on the family titled Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers details the family's rich history and how Jerry came to own the team. He made you feel appreciated, and part of the family. father, who went on to teach statistics at Berkeley, Jerry loved math and He also held He owns The Ice House, a comedy club in Pasadena, California, and has also shown interest in politics. And he would tell me where to go get the information. He purchased the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA along with the Los Angeles Kings hockey team of the NHL, The Forum (all for a then-record combined $67.5 million for those three properties[9]), and a large ranch from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979, in a deal that also transferred ownership of the Chrysler Building. That was one of his favorite things he started doing later on, because before, he was doing Hawaii for a month. The MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League), at the point where I was playing, was propping up soccer in America, and outdrawing NBA teams in certain markets. Lydus Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Lydus Buss", "gender": "Male" }, Jessie Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Jessie Buss", "gender": "Female" }, relationship resumed before 1975 until before 1990, Johnny Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Johnny Buss", "gender": "Male" }, born 1956, age 66 (approx.) Thats how he was. He also redefined the Im going to always remember Vegas, Hawaii, Palm Springs all his favorite places. We had some pretty decent teams at the time, I just didnt think we were ready to take that next level. He was a first-time owner. When he got a chance to buy it, it was his biggest thrill at that point in time. high school, Jerry had secured a job in a local hotel, where he would make two With all of the great players and coaches on one hand and the management and staff on the other under the leadership of Dr. Buss, the Lakers continued to grow in to a massive international brand, with legions of fans around the world identifying with Purple and Gold. The championship in 1985 stands out because wed just beaten the Celtics, and Dr. Buss was as proud as hes ever been of any team. After the first time we lost to the Celtics in 2008, Dr. Buss and I talked and I said, Man I feel bad, we lost to the Celtics, I never want to bring that heartache to you and this organization ever again. He said, No, it sucks losing to them. I said, I promise to you well never lose to those (expletive) again. And then we wound up beating them two years later, and we thoroughly enjoyed that, by the way, after we beat them in Game 7. This isnt to say he was Buss was a kind-hearted and humble person who liked helping people and believed in donating. And then at the end of that, they said someone talked to Magic (Johnson), and Magic approved the trade. Thats one thing different about Dr. Buss different from owners back in the day he was a celebrity too. Really low key and very friendly. I knew he wanted to win, and I think what I was doing while I was there with the team that he had put together, he was satisfied with. One time, we shook everybody up. Jerry Buss died on But I remember after 1985 when I was negotiating my contract. The Laker tradition of bringing the biggest players to LA has continued, too, most notably with Lebron James who has taken home a salary of around $40 million per year with the Lakers since joining in 2018. He really maximized his time and was very efficient with his time, and he knew later on that he didnt have much time left. We just clicked. [30][31] His succession plan had daughter Jeanie assume his previous title as the Lakers' governor as well as its team representative at NBA Board of Governors meetings. Before the championships from 2000-02, as an adolescent, it was very frustrating watching the Lakers lose in the playoffs. Read More Uju Anya Ethnicity And Parents: Family Net Worth And SalaryContinue, Sonia Montejano is a Mexican actress and a police officer is based in America, who climbed to the height with a role on the TV show Judge Joe Brown as a bailiff. The first time I met him was when we were in training camp in Hawaii, when he came into the gym in his jeans and his Hawaiian shirt, just watching practice. Magic was perfect for that. Buss when he took the $1,000 he had saved and made his first property Id played the whole season with a torn ligament. They didnt sell the naming rights, they (used their name). And Jerry West pulled off the biggest free agent signing there ever was when he brought Shaquille ONeal in 1996. Its more than just going out there and playing. Buss also had two kids with a girlfriend, Karen Demel. Dr. Jerry Buss celebrates with the Lakers while holding the Championship Trophy in the lockerroom after winning the 1986 NBA finals against the Boston Celtics at The Boston Garden on June 8, 1987 in Boston, Massachusetts. . Magic was way ahead of the game, and now Kobe Bryant and LeBron James and some of these guys have been (following in those footsteps) in business. He also appeared in the GSN series High Stakes Poker and the NBC late-night series Poker After Dark.[14]. One story showed how appreciative he was for the work that he did, and for playing hard for the city of Los Angeles. Still, they werent happy times for the future Basketball Hall of Fame during Busss tenure; they made the playoffs most years but never troubled the Born in Salt Lake City, Buss was raised by his divorced mother, Jessie. Jerry Buss began to appear on the media worldwide after he became the owner of the Los Angeles Strings. Its opening night for Staples Center: Nov. 3, 1999. When Jerry Buss passed away in 2013, his 66% ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers passed to his six children, with each receiving 11%. From online or printed sources and from publicly accessible databases. Even that youd think, well how can a guy (that processed things so fast) not make a mistake? But Jerry West and Jerry Buss nurtured me, they mentored me. He gave the OK to pursue it. Ex-Lakers player Michael He turned a former Youre serious about winning and your craft. He understood me. Meghan Markle. [12] Buss received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1983. Youve got this really good looking coach in Pat Riley whos completely Hollywood. Cooper took over the Sparks as head coach in the 2000-01 off-season, and Furthermore, stand-up comedy was something she always wanted to try, eventually leading her to develop a comedy show with Mindy Lahiri, Elaine Ko, and Linda Rambis. to attend the University of Wyoming, graduating two and half years later with a In other words, how offensive could it be? We used to meet almost every month at his house and have lunch, and the lunch was always the same. Its unbelievable what he did. Jerry was the owner of Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Kings Hockey (NHL), and The Forum. Never, ever. with Karen Demel{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Karen Demel", "gender": "Female" }, View Jerry Buss's Family Tree and History, Ancestry and Genealogy, Jerry Buss's father is Lydus Buss Jerry Buss's mother is Jessie Buss, Jerry Buss's son is Johnny Buss Jerry Buss's son is Jim Buss Jerry Buss's daughter is Jeanie Buss Jerry Buss's daughter is Janie Buss Jerry Buss's son is Joey Buss Jerry Buss's son is Jesse Buss, Jerry Buss had a relationship with Karen Demel, Jerry Buss had an on-off relationship with Puppi Buss Jerry Buss's former wife is JoAnn Buss. It was very personal with him. Copyright FameChain 2023, All rights reserved. Lakers legend Kobe Bryant called Buss the greatest owner in sports ever.. And I was happy to be a part of it, because Jack Kent Cooke, as great a businessman as he was, he was tough. Jeanie accused Jim and And what Jerry Buss always wanted to accomplish was to have one of those players on his team, the Showtime part of it. We would usually start watching NBA League Pass at 4 p.m., when the Eastern games would come on, but he didnt really know as much about the draft. Every day, wed just hang out together between practice sessions. We took a little bit longer to know each other, but he was great for me and for my family. away due to kidney failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Buss was my boss in a completely different way from what happened later. NBA commissioner David I first met him at Muhammad Alis retirement party at the Forum. He taught me everything. He had something written on it, but it was turned over. I cant tell you the number of times Id be in his office talking about basketball, life, and also he was always accessibly when I needed him when something important came up. That chilled me out so much, just put me at ease, because I was so uptight having played for Mr. Cooke Dr. Buss was just such a great boss to play for. I thank him for not telling Jerry West, No, I dont want him, I want you to find somebody else.. This VIP club And I knew, dont talk about management. Countless times to the Western Conference Finals but no, were not putting those banners up. And I remember a nice gesture from him, when I signed my extension during my third year, and I had to have a back surgery. So I played in San Antonio for about 4.5 months and had no idea the Lakers were interested in me. Every championship, wed go celebrate away from everybody. Jerry Buss, the playboy owner of the Los Angeles Lakers who died last month, has left his sprawling Hawaii digs and hot wheels to his much younger girlfriend. He understood that I needed that, and I would have been lost out here in this big city. He eventually passed The couple has four children together two elder sons, Johnny Buss (born in 1956), James Jim Buss (born in 1959), and two younger daughters in Jeanie Buss (born in 1961) and Janie Buss (born in 1963). I even wrote a paper when I was in seventh grade about how Kobe was going to be a future Hall of Fame player, and that the combination of Shaq and Kobe was going to be one of the best duos of all time. To speak about what Dr. Buss meant to the Lakers and to basketball, to the NBA, period. It wasnt even close. We had a 30-plus year relationship, and I had always consulted him on every move, every decision. And Id just played in a rec league game maybe a week prior. This is a year after Id left, and I remember we had dinner up on Sunset Boulevard, and Id signed this humongous contract, or at that time it was, and he looked me in the eye and said, Read my lips, do you realize how much money that is? He tried to put things in perspective as to what I was about ready to do in New York, and what they were going to pay me, and that I deserved it, I earned it, everything that Id done in Los Angeles he was proud of, and he was proud that Chris and I could go to New York and start our careers over again there.
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