Byron Scott questions Lakers ownership transition, cites Dr. Jerry Buss legacy
Former Lakers star Byron Scott suggests the franchise’s recent sale to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger diverges from the institutional culture established by the late Dr. Jerry Buss.
Former Los Angeles Lakers star Byron Scott has cast doubt on the current direction of the franchise, suggesting that late founder Dr. Jerry Buss would be dissatisfied with the recent ownership transition. Scott made these remarks at the 26th annual Harold & Carole Pump Foundation celebrity dinner, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the team’s new management structure.
The comments follow a rapid series of transactions that have unsettled the franchise’s long-standing governance. Last week, Mark Walter agreed to sell his majority stake, which he had acquired from the Buss family just 10 months prior, to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. This move was followed on Monday by a vote from five of the six Buss siblings to sell their remaining 17.8 per cent stake to the same buyers, with team governor Jeanie Buss voting against the sale.
Scott, a key figure in the Lakers’ 1980s “Showtime” era, noted that the Buss family had owned at least part of the team since 1979, when Dr. Buss purchased the franchise from Jack Kent Cooke. Scott expressed surprise at the prospect of an outside corporation holding such a significant position, stating he never expected to see another company own the Lakers in his lifetime.
The core of Scott’s critique focuses on institutional culture rather than immediate sporting results. He recalled that Dr. Buss treated the organisation as a family, prioritising equal treatment for all personnel. Scott cited that Dr. Buss did not treat star player Magic Johnson any differently than role player Wes Matthews, a dynamic Scott believes is essential to maintaining the team’s identity.
There is ongoing debate over whether Kushner and Iger will prioritise championship contention or profit maximisation. Scott urged the new owners to emulate Dr. Buss’s approach, hoping they would remember how the former owner treated employees and players to sustain a familial atmosphere.
While acknowledging that the current era is different, Scott maintained that the legacy of the Buss family was defined by a sense of belonging. He suggested that the new ownership group must replicate this environment to ensure the franchise retains its historical prestige and internal cohesion.
