He’s an associate of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a subscriber. Buss also possessed other professional sports franchises in Southern California. He bought the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA combined with the La Kings hockey team of the NHL, The Forum, as well as a big ranch from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979. Buss afterwards sold the Kings, keeping possession of the Lakers and The Forum. He subsequently reached an important marketing arrangement with Great Western Bank for the naming rights to The Forum, leading to the official name of the building being altered to the Great Western Forum. Afterwards, when the WNBA was formed in 1996, Buss took charge of running that league’s La franchise, the Los Angeles Sparks. Included in the offer to go the Lakers into Staples Center, Buss sold the Great Western Forum (which was afterwards reverted to its initial name). The Lakers were quite successful under Buss’ possession, winning ten NBA tournaments with such players as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, and with trainers Pat Riley and Phil Jackson. He inspired the Lakers’ Showtime age together with his vision that basketball games should be amusing. In 2002, when the WNBA was restructured to give its teams individual owners, Buss took possession of the Sparks. He sold the team in 2006. Buss also possessed the Los Angeles Lazers of the Major Indoor Soccer League. The Lazers also played in The Forum. The team closed down in 1989 as well as the league closed down three years after. His contributions to basketball were acknowledged by his induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
February 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California, USA,
Place Of Birth
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Profession
An American businessman, investor, chemist, and philanthropist. He was the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association.
Education
University of Wyoming, University of Southern California
Nationality
American.,
Spouse
JoAnn Mueller
Children
Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss, Johnny Buss, Jesse Buss, Joey Buss, Janie Buss
Parents
Jessie Buss
Star Sign
Aquarius
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Fact
1
Once owned one of five known 1913 USA Liberty Head nickels. The coin was sold (by a different owner) in 2010 for $3.7 million.
2
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
3
Former chemistry professor.
4
Received the 2,323th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [October 30, 2006].
5
He had four children with his ex-wife, JoAnn: son, Jimmy Buss; son, Johnny Buss; daughter, Jeanie Buss; and daughter, Janie. He also had two sons with his ex-girlfriend, Karen Demel: Joey and Jesse.
6
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, L.A. Forum, Pickfair.
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Law of the Lawless
1964
dialogue coach
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Homecoming with Rick Reilly
2010
TV Series
Himself
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
2009
TV Series
Himself - Lakers Owner
E:60
2007
TV Series
Himself - Owner, L.A. Lakers (segment "The Laker Girl")
Poker After Dark
2007
TV Series
Himself
National Heads-Up Poker Championship
2006
TV Series
Himself (as Dr. Jerry Buss)
High Stakes Poker
2006
TV Series
Himself
The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame...
2005
TV Series
Himself
Beyond the Glory
2004-2005
TV Series documentary
Himself
Miss USA
2004
TV Special
Himself - Celebrity Judge (as Dr. Jerry Buss)
Playboy: Who Wants to Be a Playboy Centerfold?
2002
TV Special documentary
Himself (as Dr. Jerry Buss)
ESPN SportsCentury
2000
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Mike Douglas Show
1979
TV Series
Himself - Basketball Team Owner
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame...
2005
TV Series
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2006
Star on the Walk of Fame
Walk of Fame
Television
On 30 October. At 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Known for movies
Playboy: Who Wants to Be a Playboy Centerfold? (2002) as Himself
High Stakes Poker (2006) as Himself
Miss USA (2004) as Himself - Celebrity Judge
National Heads-Up Poker Championship (2006) as Himself
$600 Million,
