The Lakers’ $10 billion sale to Mark Walter might have come as a surprise to sporting communities, but a Netflix show hinted at the family drama and power struggle that may have inspired the Buss family’s decision to let go of its patriarch’s legacy. The sports comedy created by Ike Barinholtz alongside Mindy Kaling and Elaine Ko isn’t a biopic, but it mirrors the life of Jeanie Buss, president of the Los Angeles Lakers.
With Jeanie as the real-life inspiration, the series follows Kate Hudson’s Isla Gordon as she becomes the president of her family’s basketball franchise, the Los Angeles Waves. She strives for impactful leadership but must deal with several issues, ranging from her love life to family dramas. In Season 1’s finale, Isla finds out that one of her siblings has been scheming to take her place. Albeit unconfirmed, this could be the reason behind the Lakers’ $10 billion sale.
How Netflix’s “Running Point” Hinted At The Lakers’ Sale
Running Point Season 1 has a cliffhanger ending that leaves the leadership of the Los Angeles Waves up in the air. Isla assumed leadership with the support of her brother, Cam Gordon (Justin Theroux). But unknown to her, Cam has been working behind the scenes to ensure her failure. But Isla continues to make the right calls, frustrating Cam’s ploys so much that he decided to openly confront Isla and take over leadership.
Isla resumes work after a devastating loss and finds Cam sitting at her desk. The credits rolled in at that point, but with Cam’s demeanor, there is no doubt he intends to oust Isla as president. How that plays out is left for Running Point Season 2. However, this ending subtly suggests that a leadership tussle may have inspired the Buss family’s decision to sell its majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jeanie Buss’ Older Brothers Have Been Scheming To Oust Her As Controlling Owner
Before Jerry Buss’ death in 2013, he named his oldest daughter Jeanie Buss as the controlling owner of the team. It is said that he wanted Jeanie to run the basketball franchise alongside Earvin Magic Johnson, whom he regarded as his son. But Jeanie’s older brothers, Jim and Johnny Buss, are unhappy with that arrangement. They’ve made moves to oust Jeanie as the controlling owner back in 2017, after she fired her brother, the franchise’s executive vice president of player personnel, Jim Buss, alongside general manager Mitch Kupchak and communications director John Black.
The trio had been isolating Magic Johnson, whom Jeanie hired as an advisor, hoping his input would help the Lakers bounce back after several disappointing seasons. Although it was resolved that Jeanie would remain the controlling owner, sources close to the family claim the older brothers have been in a desperate quest to work their way around the trust that bequeathed them the basketball franchise and cash out. In a 2017 interview with ESPN, Jeanie’s younger sister, Janie Buss, explained that the older brothers are trying to bust the trust so they can sell their interests.
“The way the trust is set up, it’s last man standing. If I die tomorrow, my kids [will] benefit a little bit, but they don’t get everything I’m entitled to.” With that, she explains that if her brothers can bust the trust, they get to cash out and leave more money for their kids. It seems they eventually had their way as the family has reached an agreement to sell its majority ownership to Mark Walter for a record $10 billion.
Check Out: The Lakers Have a New Owner — But Don’t Expect Big Changes Just Yet
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