Jerry Buss
From Hoopedia
Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League, The Great Western Forum and a 13,000-acre Kern Country ranch in June 1979, in what was the largest sports transaction of all-time. Buss also acquired the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997 and became the first NBA owner to owner his own D-League team, the Los Angeles D-Fenders in 2006.
An era of success unrivaled in Southern California professional sports followed. The success of the Lakers is attributable to the combined efforts of great players, outstanding coaches, intelligent management and imaginative marketing. This teamwork, under Jerry Buss’s direction, created an enormous popularity that helped the NBA achieve its current high level of national and international acceptance.
A graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Buss earned his Ph. D in Physical Chemistry from the University of Southern California. After a brief career in aerospace industry, Buss and Frank Mariani, an aerospace engineer, drew upon their scientific training to launch a career in real estate. For Buss, this venture was intended only to provide income to enable him to pursue his love for teaching. Soon, however, the real estate firm of Mariani-Buss Associates expanded so fast that its demands did not allow time for other professions.
Buss parlayed his original $1,000 investment in a West Los Angeles apartment building into assets that eventually enabled him to achieve his second love, which was ownership of a major league sports team.
Since his entry into the NBA, Buss has initiated many innovative marketing changes, including the major advertising agreement with Great Western Bank in 1988 that resulted in the Lakers former home being named the Great Western Forum. Many of his marketing strategies are emulated by various NBA franchises as well as other teams in other leagues. He recently served two terms as President of the NBA Board of Governors. Among other accomplishments, he helped launch Prime Ticket Network (now FOX Sports Net West and FOX Sports Net West 2 rebranded back to Prime Ticket) in 1985. It shortly became the nation’s premier regional sports cable network.
Of Buss’ four children, all are actively involved in his business operations. Jeanie was named Lakers Executive Vice President of Business operations in June of 1999. Johnny is President of the Los Angeles Sparks, a charter member of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Jim serves as an Assistant General Manager of the Lakers while Janie is the Director of Charitable Services. For all of his accomplishments in business, Buss is as equally respected for his philanthropic efforts on behalf of highly divergent causes. While he is drawn to supporting education, the needs of disadvantaged youth and the elderly, his contributions are all encompassing.
For his efforts he has been honored by such organizations as the City of Hope, Urban League, NAACP, the B’nai B’rith, United Negro College Fund, United Indian Development Girls Clubs of America and the Los Angeles Human Relations Commissions, among many others. Additionally, he has funded scholarships at his alma maters, as well as having endowed the Magic Johnson Scholarship at Michigan State University. He also runs an annual celebrity golf tournament to support the YMCA-Junior Lakers and Shooting Sparks Basketball leagues for boys and girls as well as a dinner in support of the Union Rescue Mission and the Skid Row Charity Fund.
