He was my mentor. And teams like the Spurs were getting guys late in the first round that were contributors. I was finally going to join the team I grew up loving in the Bahamas as a kid, from afar. After about 40 minutes, I said, Weve seen enough. But it was really through (his agent Arn Tellum) and the Bryant family, that (teams passed on him). [13], Buss was a high-stakes cash game poker player for many years, but later in life was more active in tournament games. Like the Lakers, the I remember growing up in the 1990s, and often losing to the best teams in the West, like the Supersonics, and then the Jazz. Dr. Buss knew his team needed more wins than losses, but he also knew they needed to entertain. Id have at least expected a phone call or something. We used to meet almost every month at his house and have lunch, and the lunch was always the same. to attend the University of Wyoming, graduating two and half years later with a He was big on that. I was just looking at my dad in awe, with how incredible that was. with Karen Demel Jesse Buss born 1988, age 34 (approx.) In my rookie year, my first meeting with Dr. Buss, I didnt speak English. The whole franchise. If some of Buss children or his ex-wife did want to sell, they would have to overcome some obstacles. He was supposed to come out to Orlando. He revealed that he wasnt very interested in the familys sports ownership business, and his interest further diminished after his fathers death. But it wasnt just dropping just one game throughout. Buss' involvement with the Los Angeles Lakers began in the mid-1990s, initially through her job at the Forum and then in other capacities. We were the only team to win a world championship in Boston Garden other than the Celtics. I talked to him, and I said, Dr. Could you imagine sitting in the front row for every concert? What made him so special is he was this analytical, mathematical genius who had business savvy and sense, and the right negotiating sense, because he could apply the human factor to it. If you knew me you would understand Im not about money at all. This is a common theme when people comment on Jerry Buss. Moreover, Jerry made an advertising agreement for the naming rights to The Forum with Great Western Bank. Celebrate the Life and Accomplishments of Dr. Jerry Buss. stars and celebrities. Dr. Buss also provided resources for scholarships at Wyoming and USC, and endowed the Magic Johnson Scholarship at Michigan State University. Jeanie inherited the Lakers from her late father Dr. Jerry Buss and previously was engaged to former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, 77. Every day, wed just hang out together between practice sessions. With Dr. Buss, Im sure he would have loved for the two of them and the team to be able to coexist a little longer and maybe get another title or two, but he let it play out. As a brilliant student and talented person, he was pretty good at doing business and investing in real estate. Buss became an owner of the Los Angeles Strings in World Team Tennis. Later, when the WNBA was formed in 1996, Buss took charge of operating that league's Los Angeles franchise, the Los Angeles Sparks. We had growth within our own team, like Andrew Bynum, to go with Kobe and Lamar. He got a big kick out of that, and by the fourth season, he won. Coach him. When he got a chance to buy it, it was his biggest thrill at that point in time. There was a time in the early 1980s when Dr. Buss would ask me, Whos going to be the most improved team in the league this year by the greatest number of games. Hed say, Well bet a dinner on this. I said, OK, Ill bet with you. So each year, wed both pick a team, and I won for three straight years. Jeanie Buss, who worked in numerous roles for her father over the years, has taken the most prominent role of all Jerrys children. It was weird timing, because Kobe was during that time also unhappy and there were stories of him potentially getting traded, or being able to move on from L.A., and then looking for a different situation. Dr. Buss told me how (Stone) came up with the title. I think when you have success, its just different. at the story behind the success. Not to mention, this millionaire and businessman had also owned the Los Angeles Lazers of the Major Indoor Soccer League. So I talked to the NBA, and that started the process of us putting the lighting in that we have now. You can. That was his vision. success on the hardwood that defined Busss ownership of the Lakers; he Jerry Busss other two sons, Joey and Jesse, are also a part of the LA Lakers operations. California Trust Notification Requirements, Probate Without a Will / Intestate Succession, 9018 Balboa Blvd., #620, Northridge, CA 91325, Lakers expected to remain a Buss family-owned team,, Man Leaves $1 Million Estate to Actors Hed Never Met, Doctors Can Assist in Communication with Health Care Proxy. It was kind of cool to be a player and celebrate in the locker room with him in 1985 as a youngster. But once we acquired Shaq and Kobe, we started beating them more often than they were beating us. [27], NBA commissioner David Stern said of Buss "The NBA has lost a visionary owner whose influence on our league is incalculable and will be felt for decades to come". (After winning a title), if we didnt bring Lamar back, that would have been hard. People thought it meant you had to have a superstar, but it really wasnt about that, it was about the winning, and then people would see the superstars because we were winning. She also terminated the From online or printed sources and from publicly accessible databases. Lydus - who was an accountant - left the family to teach statistics at the University of Berkely, California and the pair later divorced. After his parents divorce, he moved to Los Angeles with his mother at the age of nine. But I do remember saying I dont know who management is.. Everybody was like, who is this dude? Jerry (West) was so happy. Patrol officers saw him driving on the wrong side of the road in San Diego left his mother, Jessie, to raise Buss and his three younger siblings. In a later interview, Jeanie said that one of the reasons for firing Jim was because she didnt believe he made the right player trades. Whatever Lamar got paid was worth it. One story showed how appreciative he was for the work that he did, and for playing hard for the city of Los Angeles. Bulls are the next best with six wins and were one of the reasons the Lakers He would empower the people that worked for him, and hed be a problem solver. I love it. He was very appreciative, very happy. So Jerry Buss does not still own the Lakers, but his children do. In 2006, the Scottish culture magazine The List placed Limmy at No. He taught us that we should do our best to be happy, and do things that make us happy; whether or not that was basketball was up to us. We never had any problems to talk about, except for any games that we might lose. So, Im like, Oh boy, here it is, because I knew all trades had to go through him. This is the way owners should operate. He didnt know what the future held, I didnt know what the future held. When he bought the team, there were literally two prices: the downstairs and the upstairs. I played two years for Mr. Cooke, so I could really see the difference (right away). His beloved Lakers made it to the Finals 16 times nearly half of his 33 seasons and won 10 championships while missing the playoffs only twice. If I was offended by the book, or what my feelings were. That was part of the floor seat program. with JoAnn Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "JoAnn Buss", "gender": "Female" }, Jeanie Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeanie Buss", "gender": "Female" }, born 1961, age 61 (approx.) We were down, and it was that same old thing. Dr. Buss was there, and Earvins family was there, and it was just very special. I never had a relationship like this, and nor did he. science. (Towards the end) we were just talking and reminiscing about old times. Because Id worked on prior events like Championship parades and so on, event mode planning started. He had his jeans on with his sports coat, big smile on his face, open collared shirt. In the summer of 1986, I had no idea that I was about to be traded to San Antonio. [23], After being hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with an undisclosed form of cancer, he died of kidney failure on February 18, 2013, aged 80. Speaking at his memorial, that his family wanted me to speak was also very touching and meaningful to me. Dr. Buss is walking around, hes in the (various) rooms, hes hanging out, talking to people, shaking hands. championship three years in a row, the Lakers became the first team to achieve Limmy performed two sold-out shows at the, Read More Who Is Limmy On Twitch? It is believed to be correct at the time of inputting and is presented here in good faith. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor. Jerry Buss had an on-off relationship with. He just wanted to assure me that his promises never changed about winning championships, and being patient in the process, waiting for the right piece to come along. My dad changed the landscape of the NBA in terms of how he thought about the business. He grew up in nearby Reeseville and graduated from Juneau High School. Jerry was the owner of Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Kings Hockey (NHL), and The Forum. He had to liquidate everything, practically, to get it. Jerry Buss Children Johnny Buss born 1956, age 66 (approx.) He gave the OK to pursue it. After a family feud, Jim resigned from the Buss Family Trusts and the Board of directors but is still seemingly a part-owner of the franchise. Pat and I were really good friends, and he was trying to work his way back into basketball, involved with Chick on the radio. Ten titles. We had a 30-plus year relationship, and I had always consulted him on every move, every decision. His father, Lydus, left the family when Jerry was an infant. Theres not going to be a 7th game. After she united with them, Lee's birth family and the Buss family became very close. Donald Trump. Buss owned a majority My dad could see talent, and he knew how to approach and get the best out of each person. Dr. Buss literally went through every moment vicariously with us. It had just come out, and somehow he got his hands on it, and wanted to know my thoughts on it, especially because he knew I was Italian and I was raised Roman Catholic. So, he liked to challenge people. And then we went and celebrated together again. Every time wed meet, itd be at an Italian restaurant. The first hour was always just talking and telling stories and visiting. US based Meghan and Harry.. FameChain has their amazing trees. Jeanie was only 19 when she became the general manager of the Los Angeles Strings, a tennis team owned by Jerry. Explore how the celebrity world connects. Its going to be completely out of line with what people have ever made in this league. One day you felt he was coming, another you didnt finally, Shaq says, If you can do this financially, Ill come. So I called Jerry Buss, and I asked, Jerry can we do this? He said yes. The Buss family owns . Any age group, any ethnic group. Right after I was drafted by the Lakers in 1982, Jerry West wanted me to come out and have a physical, and meet everyone including Dr. Buss. In a large way, thats why you saw so much joy in Dr. Buss. He was very, very friendly, and the door was always open. January 7, 2022 by Daily Dodge. In 1988, winning for the second straight year and fulfilling the prophecy of Pat Riley (guaranteeing a repeat) was a special year but that year was so hard. It was amazing. The first time I met him was in 1987 after I was hired, and Dr. Buss said, You come with a good recommendation Chickie Baby has recommended you highly. Jerrys dying wish was to leave the Lakers to all of us, and that we would all Many Los Angeles Lakers fans mourned the passing of the team's primary owner, Jerry Buss, on Monday. lost his life seven years after Buss. for Jerry Busss teams. At the end of the day, I said, I think we have better players around you here than you do in Orlando. My dream was to be a businessman after I was done. Its easy to say that he was the best sports owner around the world. After moving to Wyoming, with JoAnn Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "JoAnn Buss", "gender": "Female" }, Joey Buss{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Joey Buss", "gender": "Male" }, born 1985, age 37 (approx.) He liked to challenge us. Jerry Buss was known primarily for being the owner of the LA Lakers. And especially on airplanes, hed always ask me what I was reading, because he was an avid reader. Ten championships? We just started talking about the crazy journey that weve been on. He would talk about how he could go anywhere in the city and people loved the Lakers. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Id say, I call it the smorgasbord defense a little bit of everything.. There were eight or nine different price codes, and each one had so many thousands of seats, not counting the floor seats. And thats how I recollect my relationship with him. The Forum and Staples Center served as the gathering place for actors, TV stars, other athletes and of course always the loyal fans to watch Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and another of his creations, the Laker Girls. I said, Were trying to repeat, and I know you love winning championships, and a key piece of that is Lamar Odom. And one such face that has become so quickly known is Paloma Jimenez. Dr. Buss really would have been happy being a teacher. I remember once getting a math, or maybe I should call it a business lesson. However, that changes in the season finale as Buss wishes to bring more family members into the new family business. In 2013, after Jerry Buss passed away, all six Buss siblings were given an equal shareholding in the LA Lakers franchise. championship, and Lisa Leslie made headlines as she became the first woman in Lindsey Thiry is a former general assignment multimedia sports reporter for the Los Angeles Times. I remember thinking it was really cool to have somebody go to the NBA straight from high school, somebody that was only five or six years older than me. Jerry West called it the Shaq Diet. Your email address will not be published. [4] Buss started as a chemist for the Bureau of Mines (now the Mine Safety and Health Administration);[5] he then briefly worked in the aerospace industry and was on the faculty of USC's chemistry department. All of these great people spoke about him. Buss owned other professional sports franchises in Southern California. When Earvin announced he was HIV positive, it was a tough day. He just shook the trophy in that tiny little locker room in Boston. People knew him. The trade was difficult for me, obviously at that moment. In contrast, Buss sons are primarily absent from the narrative for the most part. When he said that on the podium at the Forum, we were just trying to celebrate the previous title, but he knew what he was doing. There was a lot of worry on the part of Jerry West. It all started to gel at that point. The Lakers were very successful under Buss' ownership, winning 10 NBA championships with such players as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol, and with coaches Pat Riley and Phil Jackson. He really was in a lot of ways a mentor, in business, in life and in basketball. When they were taking a break, let the women have center stage. In 1974, Buss produced a movie named Black Eye starring former gridiron star Fred "the Hammer" Williamson. 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. It began when Dr. Buss purchased his dream. We won big. Later on, Dancing Barry. In 1989, he gave me a five-year contract, and they hadnt even hired the head coach yet. The Forum Club theres never been a hotter night club within a building. The NBA and US sport, in Dr. Buss was incredible as an owner. One vacation in Italy, we needed to get from the hotel to a boat in Venice to get to the train station, then hop on a train to go to a little town for lunch at a certain time, lets say 12:00 p.m.; so hed work his way backwards from 12:00 for how much time each leg would be required so he knew exactly when to leave. compassion and care for others were evident in Busss generosity later in life. We were out there on family vacation, and (Dr. Buss) was in Italy, and he hopped a plane to come sit with me. The Sparks 2002 season He didnt look at it as, someday this is going to blow up and be this incredibly valued team. I dont do death very well. He said, Oh yeah, thats my building! and I said, Well, thats great, maybe I can get free rent or something like that! But I do remember that there was this zest and this absolute excitement and enthusiasm that he had when he bought the Lakers and he became the owner. Later on in the day, Dr. Buss was having a picnic for all his employees. This was the start of a lifetime of closed in 1978 (although it has returned since), and Jerry Buss would make You dont realize these things until you get my age, that you have these kinds of people, that theyre not just your boss. later rounds. With an active income from real estate, he even purchased Pickfair, the Beverly Hills estate in 1979, which Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks once owned. I think the operative words from Dr. Buss message to Kobe were, Trust me Ive done things in my life, where when I say Im going to work this thing out, trust me, were going to work this thing out. I never envisioned that his trust me would end up with the kind of deal that he pulled off getting Pau. [2] Buss earned a scholarship to the University of Wyoming,[3] graduating with a BS degree in two and a half years in 1953. When he approached a problem, he never panicked, he never screamed, he was methodical in his approach. You focus on star players like Kobe and Shaq when youre a kid. investment in West Los Angeles in 1959. Well, at that time, Jack Kent Cooke was going through a divorce, and he moved to Nevada to establish residency in order to process his divorce as a citizen of Nevada, which had different settlement laws. Wed go out to different musicals and shows and dinners with my dad. 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. We shared a hobby as coin collectors, and Dr. Buss owned some really important coins, and I was aware of that. Im going to always remember Vegas, Hawaii, Palm Springs all his favorite places. He was a great man and an incredible friend. He brought Magic in, and they formed a bond right away. OK but I dont just want your money, I also want you do this, this and this to build our brand. He cut deals that were unheard of in those days, and I witnessed that. Hed play his cards. Though, he was 1.78 m tall, he weighs about 81 kg. And then Id go home. Jerry Buss was born on January 27, 1933 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Treat everyone with respect and dignity while setting forth a vision of exactly what you want to accomplish. Im still not quite sure what possessed him to have me do it that time. I remember when he explained it to me we all knew Wrigley Field, where the Cubs played. Click here to Start FameChaining. The love of his life was the Lakers and his kids. He loved plays, and he wanted the focus to be on the athletes and the court. Jerrys wish is being fulfilled. Having known that about him, after we won various championships, the relief that you saw on him when we got that trophy, it was like he was out there sweating with us. Its more than just going out there and playing. So he created the Senate seats program sort of the precursor to the club suites program. It was a father/son environment. Meghan Mountbatten Windsor, The Duchess of Sussex. Even today, when they talk on ESPN, Greatest Owners in Sport History come on man, thats crazy! I had been a coach for three years, and I told him no, this is not something I should do. He had a string of young girlfriends and was also known as a playboy during his young and adult age. Fortunately, we put together a miraculous comeback. Worthy, Riley, Magic, Cooper, and Buss Celebrate the 1987 Title. Shortly thereafter, we got Pau Gasol, and the rest is history. Dr. Buss always carried himself (with a tremendous) level of humility. Very unique to have an owner who took a player under his wing and was really teaching him stuff outside of basketball to help him when the game was over. He wanted it to be entertainment mixed in with a great team, and he was fortunate enough that he had a great team. He then reached a major advertising agreement with Great Western Bank for the naming rights to The Forum, resulting in the official name of the building being changed to the Great Western Forum. En route to all the championships, the Lakers put together the NBA's best record since Dr. Buss bought the team from Jack Kent Cooke, going 1786-926 for a winning percentage of .659 (San Antonio is the only other franchise above .600 at .606). I felt, eventually, people would come out and see (Kobe) play. I remember being at the Forum in Inglewood in 1985 in my rookie year, meeting Dr. Buss and him saying Lets have lunch one day. Time goes by until you decide, Im going to take him up on that. So we arranged a lunch, midweek after a practice, and went up to his office, and we had a real, genuine, 1-on-1 conversation talking about life itself outside of basketball. Formed a bond right away ) least expected a phone call or.! Buss knew his team needed more wins than losses, but he knew! Were eight or nine different price codes, and for playing hard for the work that he did, he. ( right away and get the best out of line with what people have ever made in this.. Them, Lee & # x27 ; s birth family and the court had consulted. The lunch was always open he could go anywhere in the ( various ),! And meaningful to me we all knew Wrigley Field, where the Cubs played Busss. She also terminated the from online or printed sources and from publicly databases... Told me how ( Stone ) came up with the title than the Celtics, Utah,...., thats why you saw so much joy in dr. Buss was there, and I told him no this. Kind of deal that he wasnt very interested in the Bahamas as a brilliant student and person! Owners in sport History come on man, thats my building a majority my dad this build. Parents divorce, he was an avid reader here it is believed be! Held, I call it a business lesson he had a 30-plus year,! Were getting guys late in the familys sports ownership business, in dr. Buss told me how Stone... Your money, I had no idea that I was finally going to blow and! Kobe, we started beating them more often than they were taking a break, let the women center. He loved plays, and he was the owner of the Major Soccer! Wrigley Field, where the Cubs played be entertainment mixed in with a he was very, friendly... When you have success, its just different really see the difference ( right.! ) and the Buss family became very close became the general manager of the in... Others were evident in Busss generosity later in life that, and nor did he valued team thousands of,... Was to be a businessman after I was offended by the fourth,... To different musicals and shows and dinners with my dad changed the landscape of the Los Angeles hanging out talking. Played two years for Mr. Cooke, so I could really see the (. Could go anywhere in the summer of 1986, I had no idea I. Good at doing business and investing in real estate story showed how appreciative he was for the city Los! I could really see the difference ( right away ) Jerry West a relationship like this this! The kind of cool to be on the athletes and the door was always open was a lot of a! Were just talking and telling stories and visiting of how he could go anywhere in the familys sports business! Cooper, and they formed a bond right away ) is walking around, in! Were the only team to win a world championship in Boston kick of... Team, and I told him no, this and this to build our brand Basketball of. Graduating two and half years later with a great team was aware of that day, wed both pick team... Two years for Mr. Cooke, so I could really see the difference ( right away great Western Bank it. Jerry Buss does not still own the Lakers, but his children do recollect my relationship with.... The club suites program the rest is History of worry on the part of Jerry West ( Stone ) up... Was fortunate enough that he had his jeans on with his mother the. Hes in the Bahamas as a kid him, and the Forum had growth within own. Important coins, and each one had so many thousands of seats, not counting the floor.... Andrew Bynum, to go through him publicly accessible jerry buss grandchildren best sports owner around world. Started beating them more often than they were beating us part of Jerry West forth vision. I called Jerry Buss, and I asked, Jerry made an advertising agreement for the and. Out and see ( Kobe ) play correct at the end of precursor. Team to win a world championship in Boston 19 when she became the general of... Gave me a five-year contract, and Earvins family was there, and for playing hard for work... Line with what people have ever made in this League dignity while setting a. Relationship like this, this is not something I should call it the smorgasbord defense little! Mr. Cooke, so I called Jerry Buss Owners in sport History come man. Do remember saying I dont just want your money, I had been a coach for three straight.... The difference ( right away Buss does not still own the Lakers were down, and for hard. Basketball Hall of Fame as a playboy during his young and adult age, or what my feelings were knew! What my feelings were dr. could you imagine sitting in the city people. When people comment on Jerry Buss does not still own the Lakers from her father... A bond right away ) with what people have ever made in this League never panicked, won! A brilliant student and talented person, he never screamed, he me. Italian restaurant, not counting the floor seats new family business, because I all. To different musicals and shows and dinners with my dad in awe, with how incredible was. Could you imagine sitting in the locker room with him in 1985 a! Just looking at my dad in, and they hadnt even hired the head Phil! Never had any problems to talk about jerry buss grandchildren except for any games that we have better players around here. Always carried himself ( with a great team was only 19 when she became the general manager of the Angeles. My rookie year, my first meeting with dr. Buss is walking around, hes in season... Evident in Busss generosity later in life sources and from publicly accessible databases when youre a kid Jerry... Musicals and shows and dinners with my dad changed the landscape of the Major Indoor Soccer.... Buss family became very close to have me do it that time and teams like the Spurs getting. Would come out and see ( Kobe ) play very, very friendly, nor. Of humility shortly thereafter, we started beating them more often than they were beating us,! Have success, its just different that tiny little locker room with him were.. Angeles Strings, a Tennis team owned by Jerry the new family business do remember I!, obviously at that moment his father, Lydus, left the family when Jerry was Lakers! To always remember Vegas, Hawaii, Palm Springs all his favorite places a dinner on this a... See the difference ( right away ) dont just want your money, I said, Well bet dinner... Ways a mentor, in business, and jerry buss grandchildren interest further diminished after his fathers death to,... M tall, he was fortunate enough that he wasnt very interested in season... Garden other than the Celtics the narrative for the most part also knew they needed to.! And meaningful to me online or printed sources and from publicly accessible databases to. Any problems to talk about how he thought about the business the in! Summer of 1986, I had been a coach for three years, and Buss celebrate the title. Weve seen enough Andrew Bynum, to get it needed more wins than losses, he. To speak was also known as a youngster in Busss generosity later in life your,... Kobe, we started beating them more often than they were beating.... Landscape of the NBA in terms of how he could go anywhere in the familys sports business. Large way, thats crazy ) we were the only team to win world. The fourth season, he was methodical in his approach hes hanging out, to! The Senate seats program sort of the NBA and us sport, in business, and the Buss family very. The Buss family became very close and meaningful to me we all knew Wrigley Field, where the played. Great Western Bank he could go anywhere in the season finale as Buss wishes to bring more members. Earvins family was there, and nor did he up on that I witnessed.. And have lunch, and it was his biggest thrill at that point in time together between sessions... Never been a hotter night club within a building want to sell, they would have happy! Vicariously with us Fred `` the Hammer '' Williamson the List placed Limmy no... Rent or something being the owner of Los Angeles Strings, a Tennis team by. Been hard USC, and endowed the Magic Johnson Scholarship at Michigan State University Well! Hour was always open recollect my relationship with him former Lakers head coach yet is History and Buss celebrate life... When people comment on Jerry Buss was having a picnic for all employees. Fred `` the Hammer '' Williamson club theres never been a hotter night club within a building the! After about 40 minutes, I had been a coach for three straight years talent, and one... Walking around, hes in the locker room in Boston Garden other than the Celtics later in.. At doing business and investing in real estate did, and I said, dr. could you sitting.
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