Jerry Buss, born Gerald Hatten Buss on January 27, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah, was an American entrepreneur and sports executive best known for his ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team.
Jerry Buss Mother
Jerry Buss mother is called Jessie Buss. She was a renowned businessman who made headlines by acquiring the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 for a staggering $67.5 million.
With his visionary leadership, Dr. Jerry Buss transformed the Lakers into a powerhouse and elevated the team’s status to a global brand.
Jerry Buss mother was born on July 10th, 1913, in Evanston, Uinta County, Wyoming, USA. She hailed from a predominantly African American community.
As an American citizen, Jerry Buss mother played an influential role in shaping the life of her son, Dr. Jerry Buss, instilling values of determination and success.
Though further details about her life and personal accomplishments are not widely available, Jerry Buss mother impact is evident through her son’s remarkable achievements in the sports and business world.
Jessie Buss Father
Jessie Buss’s father’s name is Lydus. He was an accountant who later pursued a career in teaching statistics at Berkeley.
Jessie Buss Siblings
Jessie Buss is the mother of Jerry Buss, who had four children from his previous relationship with JoAnn Mueller.
Their names are Johnny Buss (born in 1965), Jim Buss (born in 1959), Jeanie Buss (born in 1961), and Janie Buss (born in 1963).
Who is Jerry Buss?
Jerry Buss grew up in poverty in Wyoming and later moved to Southern California with his mother and siblings.
He attended the University of Wyoming, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in two majors: physical chemistry and math.
Buss went on to earn a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Southern California (USC).
Real Estate and Business Ventures
Buss made his fortune in real estate, particularly in the Southern California market.
He started his real estate career by investing in small apartment buildings and later expanded to larger-scale projects.
Buss became a successful real estate developer and eventually founded his own company, Jerry Buss Properties.
Jerry Buss Acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers
In 1979, Buss made a significant splash in the sports world by purchasing the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, along with the Los Angeles Kings hockey team, the Forum sports arena, and a large tract of land in Inglewood, California.
The acquisition of the Lakers, which he purchased from Jack Kent Cooke for $67.5 million, marked the beginning of Buss’s prominent ownership tenure in the NBA.
Jerry Buss Success and Legacy with the Lakers
Under Buss’s ownership, the Lakers became one of the most successful and iconic franchises in professional sports.
The team won a total of ten NBA championships during Buss’s ownership, with notable players like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant leading the way.
Buss emphasized an exciting, up-tempo style of play and prioritized entertainment value, which resonated with fans and contributed to the Lakers’ popularity.
He played a significant role in transforming the Lakers into a global brand and creating a winning culture that remains a part of the team’s identity.