Lakers sale drama takes wild twist as siblings emerge as owners of a NEW sports team amid feud with sister Jeanie Buss

Joey and Jesse Buss have reached a deal to buy a minority stake in the San Diego Padres as the in-fighting over selling their shares in the Los Angeles Lakers continues.

The youngest siblings of former Lakers owner Jerry Buss have acquired around a 5% ownership state in the Major League Baseball franchise as part of their company, Buss Sports Capital. 

New controlling owners Kwanza Jones and Jose E. Feliciano purchased the Padres for $3.9 billion in a deal unanimously approved by MLB owners on August 17. And the Buss brothers have now struck a deal that will see them sit on the ownership group's advisory board. 

Joey Buss said in a statement to The Athletic: 'We are honored to join Kwanza and José and have the opportunity to contribute to the future of a team that Jesse and I have loved since we were kids growing up in San Diego. 

'Sports have always been a part of our family's story, and great organizations have a unique ability to bring people together and create a lasting sense of community.

'Padres fans have built one of the most passionate and loyal communities in all of sports, and we believe there is a tremendous opportunity to deepen that connection in San Diego and around the world.

'The Padres are on the cusp of something special, and through Buss Sports Capital, we look forward to bringing our experience and perspective to the ownership group and doing our part to build on the strong foundation already in place.'

The Buss family decided to sell its majority stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter last year in a bombshell move. But they retained a 17.8% stake that allowed sister Jeanie to remain on the board as governor.

However, after Walter agreed to sell the franchise to Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger earlier this month, in a deal valuing the team at $12.5 billion, Jeanie's five siblings - Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse - voted to sell their remaining stake.

Jeanie has challenged their decision through her lawyer, declaring the decision null and void as she was the sole sibling that did not vote in favor of selling the team. 

But the remaining siblings are standing firm, saying in a statement last week:  'The Los Angeles Lakers have never been just a basketball team. They have been one of the greatest privileges of our lives.

'Our focus has always been on what we believe is best for the Lakers, the fans who have supported this franchise for generations and the greater Los Angeles community.

'Johnny, Jimmy, Janie, Joey and Jesse have made the decision to sell the family's remaining stake, and we remain united in that decision. We intend to move forward thoughtfully, respectfully and through the appropriate process.

'We have tremendous respect for Bob Iger and Josh Kushner and believe they understand what the Lakers represent to Los Angeles and our incredibly loyal fan base,' the statement from the Buss siblings added.

'We are confident they will honor everything this franchise stands for while building upon the foundation our father created.'

 Joey and Jesse Buss both worked for the Lakers but were fired by their sister, Jeanie, in a shocking turn of events shortly before the family sold to Mark Walter.

Shortly after the sale, they launched Buss Sports Capital in September 2025 and outlined their plans, which reportedly also include trying to acquire a stake in NBA Europe.

They said at the time: 'Our vision is to really go after strategic investments and good partners—specifically sports-related investments. Buss Sports Capital is not going to compete with our interests in the Lakers or the NBA. 

'This is our first step towards where the future of sports is going to lead us. It is exciting to see what growth opportunities exist—particularly opportunities that we can add value to, given our skill sets.'