Jeanie Buss Net Worth
As one of the most powerful women in sports, Jeanie Buss has made a name for herself and amassed considerable wealth. With a net worth that’s been the talk of the town, I can’t help but delve into how Jeanie Buss built her fortune.
Her journey to riches wasn’t exactly straightforward. It’s quite an interesting narrative filled with ambition, hard work, and a bit of good old-fashioned family legacy. Named President and part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers by her father, Jerry Buss – a self-made millionaire himself – she inherited a golden opportunity to multiply her wealth.
Yet, it isn’t just about inheritance; Jeanie has repeatedly proven herself as an excellent businesswoman. She’s transformed the Lakers into one of the most profitable teams in the NBA today. The franchise’s soaring value has significantly contributed to Jeanie Buss’ net worth, making her one of the sport’s wealthiest women.
Jeanie Buss: The Early Years
As a young child, I was always immersed in the world of sports. My dad, Jerry Buss, owned the Los Angeles Lakers, which undoubtedly shaped my future. From an early age, it was clear that the business of basketball wasn’t just something my family did – it was part of who we were.
Growing up in this environment, I learned a lot about leadership and strategy. My father wasn’t just an owner; he was an innovator who revolutionized the game and how it’s marketed and sold to fans.
In my late teens and early twenties, I had opportunities to work in various roles within our family’s businesses. These experiences gave me a comprehensive understanding of operations from all angles – ticket sales and team management.
While still attending USC for my bachelor’s degree in business, I took on one of my first major responsibilities as the general manager for our tennis team – The Los Angeles Strings. This opportunity granted me invaluable lessons about leadership and decision-making under high-stakes circumstances.
After graduation from USC’s esteemed Marshall School of Business, things started picking up pace for me. My father entrusted me with more responsibilities within his empire – including managing the Forum (our arena), overseeing broadcasting negotiations, and eventually taking over as President of the Lakers.
Reflecting back on those years is fascinating because they were foundational for everything that came afterward – including how Jeanie Buss made her fortune.
Buss’s Step into the Family Business
My fascination with Jeanie Buss’s net worth began when she entered her family business. Her father, Jerry Buss, was a self-made millionaire who’d found fortune in real estate before buying the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. It wasn’t long until Jeanie got a taste of the sports industry.
Jeanie’s journey started at an early age. She was only 19 when she became the general manager for the Los Angeles Strings, one of her father’s tennis teams. This initial experience proved invaluable as it set her on a path to understanding how to manage and run a successful sports franchise.
I’ve observed that Jeanie’s strategic moves played an instrumental role in increasing her net worth. After proving herself with the Strings, she moved onto bigger roles within her father’s enterprise. In 1995, she became president of The Forum, then home to the Lakers.
To give you an idea of just how lucrative owning part of an NBA team can be:
| Year | Team Value |
| 2010 | $607 million |
| 2020 | $4.4 billion |
In less than a decade, the value multiplied sevenfold! With numbers like these, it isn’t surprising that Jeanie Buss has built quite a fortune for herself.
Most importantly, though, is what I believe truly sets Jeanie apart: she didn’t simply rest on inherited wealth. Still, she continued building upon it – solidifying her position within the industry and playing an essential part in shaping its future.