It wasnt like I was negotiating for a contract, or I was currently playing, or he was looking for any ideas about other players. If you knew me you would understand Im not about money at all. Buss also owned other professional sports franchises in Southern California. I do remember when Lamar (Odom) was a free agent, and Im not sure what our financial situation was at the time, but it was a rough negotiation, because wed just won the 2009 championship. You wanted to give him a little extra. We were holding the trophy, and there was a writer, Steve Springer with the L.A. Times, who came into the hallway when we were walking off the floor with my dad, and (Springer) asked what did it feel like to win your first championship since 1988? But now I realize, you actually really know your (stuff)! Then he started asking for my opinion on things. Everyone is tight. It was really his love, his heart. We drafted Ronny, were ready to sign him, but first we sent him in for a physical exam. To watch the franchise grow and see his influence on the Lakers, and more importantly, some of the things he did that teams in the league are still doing. It was a tough year, a tough day. When Jerry West left, the transition was very natural now, I will say that when Jerry retired, it was a little bit weird. One of his favorite comments always used to be, Aint nothin like winning! So thats one of my vivid memories. And little did we know wed be teammates months later extremely serendipitous. Jeanie, Dr. Buss and I spent a lot of time talking about price sensitivity. He made my dreams come true when he welcomed him to the Lakers family. Everybody was like, who is this dude? Thats the kind of guy you want to partner with. Recently he has become a father figure to Demel's. And when (my wife) Chris and I would have dinner with Dr. Buss, he was very gracious with Chris. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. Id just moved up to live with him in Playa Vista in 2006, and late one night after a game he was drinking wine. After we won our first championship in 1980, we hugged, and said, Can you believe this? After a decade of competitive teams that werent yet contenders, Dr. Buss and Jerry West signed free agent Shaquille ONeal, and traded for teenager Kobe Bryant, in 1996, then eventually brought Phil Jackson in to set up the next run of Lakers championships. He saved Ronnys life, and he didnt have to. Later on, Dancing Barry. We knew when we got on that plane and we were going to beat the Celtics in Game 6. However, that changes in the season finale as Buss wishes to bring more family members into the new family business. He was there for us. We had finished the parade, and Gary Vitti and the organization made the decision I needed surgery. It was a way to motivate us to be efficient. After the 2008 debacle, being able to redeem yourself in 2010, that made it extra special. His father, Lydus, left the family when Jerry was an infant. You dont know when you make the commitment whats going to happen. Dont worry about it, kid. He was raised by his mother, Jessie, who worked as a waitress. I remember watching those games with my dad. With 10 NBA championships under his belt, Jerry was the single most decorated owner in sports history. He was a great man and an incredible friend. 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. He brought Magic in, and they formed a bond right away. Even today, when they talk on ESPN, Greatest Owners in Sport History come on man, thats crazy! His ex-wife owns a portion of the team but does not have the ability to vote on a sale. It was a whirlwind (amidst the sadness), and all of a sudden here we are at the Nokia Theatre, with check in, banners outside where people could write messages, former Lakers and NBA players a beautiful stage and so on. That was a big thing for both of us. It was one of my finest moments. The Lazers also played in The Forum. After Jerry divorced JoAnn, in 1972, he had two more. He loved the players. Born on October 18, 1956, Johnny Hatten Buss is the eldest son of Jerry Buss. I asked, What did Kobe think, and my dad had talked to Kobe on the phone, and Kobe said, Yeah, I can win with this dude. We had the injury to Andrew and Trevor Ariza that year and ran into the Celtics in the Finals, but we showed big improvement from the year before, and ended up winning the next two years. Very few. Could you imagine sitting in the front row for every concert? His two things he was mainly focused on was winning championships, getting the Lakers back to that level, and being a family man, being a father to his children. In 1979 Jerry purchased Pickfair Mansion in Beverly Hills from the estate of Mary Pickford. I knew he and Magic were really close. He would talk about how he could go anywhere in the city and people loved the Lakers. But once we acquired Shaq and Kobe, we started beating them more often than they were beating us. He was doing it because it was truly his passion. I think Dr. Buss always had a plan in life. Who Is Jerry Buss Mom & Dad? Donald asks the courts to let him tweet. He has put the Lakers right up there with the New York Yankees as the top brands in sports. Worthy, Riley, Magic, Cooper, and Buss Celebrate the 1987 Title. It didnt just happen. Son of Lydus Henry Buss and Jessie Mae Buss She was predeceased by : her husband Gerald Buss; her sons, Phil Buss and Chris Buss; her parents, Ehme Busboom and Jennie Busboom (Ideus); her siblings, Rosie Miller and Gerald Busboom; her siblings-in-law, Barbara Wrightsman (Don) and Robert Schoen; and her parents-in-law, Herman and Alvina Buss. 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. He wanted to win every single year, but he also knew that was impossible. He had a brilliant mind, and he made a fortune in real estate because he was able to see the opportunity and bring everything together, and thats how he built his wealth. It started with Dr. Buss, and we were all upset about 1984. Very casual. An alumnus of Northwestern University and Arcadia High School, she has written about everything from high school sports to college football to boat racing during the past 15 years. Coming through life, there are some people that you look at as more than a friend, more than a boss. He was the first one who recommended Angels and Demons, before it became a really big hit. When I took over, he and I chatted about getting the girls out in the community because the players werent always able to. I just felt like with the passing of Dr. Buss, they need to understand what it means to wear this uniform. 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). Im going to always remember Vegas, Hawaii, Palm Springs all his favorite places. We talked for about an hour and a half, two hours, and I decided to believe in him, and he believed in me. Money has never been a part of my being. He was an incredibly brilliant person, but he had great heart and caring for the people around him. I thought he was really sincere about the things that he always said, so thats what I appreciated the most about him. Before that, I remember my dad telling me about this workout for an up-and-coming high school kid, and how Jerry West told him that he was going to be this special player. All relationship and family history information shown on FameChain has been compiled from data in the public domain. He said, I want you to take me to dinner at this real fancy restaurant with some friends. I said, I cant afford that! We were big into collecting basketball cards growing up. And I would come back in town, and we would see each other. In any industry, when your boss says youre doing a good job, thats what you want to hear. Buss was a high-stakes cash game poker player for many years, but later in life was more active in tournament games. He made you feel appreciated, and part of the family. Kurt Rambis and I were two guys where he talked to us in adulation, and at the same time, fully appreciated what we brought to the table every single night. Because he found out very quick that I was very serious about winning, and he respected that. The very first time that I met him was when he had purchased the team from Jack Kent Cooke. The Lakers, Kings and WNBA's Sparks later played their home games at the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) starting in 1999. He was once an heir to his father Jerry Busss kingdom, but insists the sports world never quite interested him. So when you talk about him not being a person who would yell or be a tyrant or throw things to motivate, he was a teacher, and he knew how to motivate people. Jim worked as the President of Los Angeles Lazers from 1985 (to 1989), succeeding his elder brother in the role. Im super thankful how Kobe wanted me on board, how Dr. Buss also was in favor and supportive of getting me and doing what it took to get me to the Lakers. They all mean a lot, but some mean a little bit more than others. Jerry Buss Children Johnny Buss born 1956, age 66 (approx.) He allowed Jerry West to make the bulk of the basketball decisions, and Dr. Buss would give him the yay or nay, and most of the time it was a yay. So I talked to the NBA, and that started the process of us putting the lighting in that we have now. The one (free agent) that was really the star on top of the Christmas tree was Shaquille ONeal. I think theres a lot of money in it. Ten titles. It was a conversation that only he and I knew about. As a player, he helped lead the Lakers to three NBA championships in 1980, 1982, and 1985. He was an incredibly visionary. I was just told that he was having this picnic for employees, and how cool that was. So it was really a family. We were just sitting there talking, and that was a pretty special moment. He was big on that. I had no idea it was Dr. Buss. Such a meaningful and historical figure to all of us that who love this game and this League. Jerry Buss has six children. I had always wanted to know, How did you work the deal with Magic to sign him to a 25-year, 25-million-dollar contract? And he gave me how easy it was, how he took this and put it in an annuity somewhere else, and so on. Magic was worth every accolade or attention he got, because he carried us. site map In 1999-2000, we got to the Western Finals against Portland, which was absolutely exciting. Almost never, to my knowledge, I dont remember ever seeing him with a pen or a pad in front of him. And Jerry West pulled off the biggest free agent signing there ever was when he brought Shaquille ONeal in 1996. We made it a mission to play them again in 1985, to prove to ourselves and the world that we could beat them. You look at them like father figures. New Jersey was going to draft him at seven, which they did not. Gerald Hatten "Jerry" Buss (January 27, 1933 - February 18, 2013) was an American businessman, real estate investor and chemist. When he got a chance to buy it, it was his biggest thrill at that point in time. kids--Joey, now 14, and Jesse, 10--with one of his girlfriends, Karen Demel. Buss became an owner in World Team Tennis, the Los Angeles Strings. Coach him. 43 years later, the combined purchase of both teams would be a fraction of the Lakers' current . I think its because he commanded that respect. Tania Ganguli covered the Lakers for the Los Angeles Times from 2016-20. Dr. Buss responded by sending Kobe a telegram from Italy. Copyright FameChain 2023, All rights reserved. The whole way, hed keep track on his watch, and we had to get there on the dot at 12:00. He knew the patterns of how often the boats and trains would come, and it was then a challenge to the whole family to make sure it happened and to execute on it properly. Explore how the celebrity world connects. My relationship with him, I think, became so close as Id try to explain to him how important each position was and what you would expect from those different positions, and how theyd fit. Born in Salt Lake City, Buss was raised by his divorced mother, Jessie. He initially worked in the aerospace industry before he built up his fortune alongside his friend and business partner, Frank Mariani, with real estate investments. I dont think theres any thrill in it. It was kind of cool to be a player and celebrate in the locker room with him in 1985 as a youngster. And I remember I was working as a scout when my dad called and let me know about us acquiring Pau Gasol. Jerry Buss, the playboy owner of the Los Angeles Lakers who died last month, has left his sprawling Hawaii digs and hot wheels to his much younger girlfriend. And we just talked about how cool it would be if we could actually end up playing together, but I hardly gave it a thought, because I thought there was no way they would trade me to the Lakers. With the Lakers, it was one man. That when you think L.A., you think Lakers. In 2013, after Jerry Buss passed away, all six Buss siblings were given an equal shareholding in the LA Lakers franchise. And so, when I became an assistant coach because of Jack McKinneys injury, and then all of a sudden I became the head coach on an interim basis, and Jerry Buss thinking and probably speaking to Jerry West about, Im going to turn over a $100 million asset to a guy whos never, ever coached and Jerry (West) and I had a good relationship, but I dont think he thought that I had the chops to really be a head coach. But when we did speak and get a chance to talk to each other, I thought it was real genuine. He had two more children with his girlfriend, Karen Demel: Joey and Jesse. I said, Were trying to repeat, and I know you love winning championships, and a key piece of that is Lamar Odom. The stake could legally be sold off entirely, but given the familys devotion to the team, the Lakers are sure to stay with them. 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. When I wanted to get into the theatre business, he was the one who connected me with everybody. You can be super successful and win at the highest level while being a great father and family man, and also still have a social life. He really was in a lot of ways a mentor, in business, in life and in basketball. I gave him Jerrys number. Wed usually eat, hang out by the pool and talk after the morning session, and then after the evening session, a lot of times wed go to dinner together. And he had his hands on everything. I read a biography on Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, and really got into collecting early gold coins, so I focused on it, and it was interesting talking to Dr. Buss about his collecting. The thing he taught me the best is that he maximized his days. I sense that youre deferring to these guys a little bit. Back in those days you could actually raise your voice to players and theyd understand. So a sports writer for the Los Angeles Herald named Frank Grady, he got ahold of me, and I was really still upset and emotional and I just went ballistic. Then due to (certain circumstances), Jerry wanted us to be co-coaches. His passions, what brought him to the mindset of wanting to own a team and what he wants from a team, and then just L.A.; it was an all-new environment for me, and he wanted to make sure I knew about it and understand as much as I possibly could. That meant a lot to us at that particular time, because it was a very difficult time, uncertain. He knew we had a great team, and he dealt with the good and the bad. This was like brothers. At that point, we seemed unbeatable. He was there to support us. If I just followed the blueprint he laid out for me, I was going to be successful, and I did. 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. Its not only a game, its entertainment. And I was happy to be a part of it, because Jack Kent Cooke, as great a businessman as he was, he was tough. But Wrigley was also the name of the family who owned the team, and also the name of their chewing gum, Wrigleys Spearmint Gum. He just said he was going to get (expletive) done. Treat everyone with respect and dignity while setting forth a vision of exactly what you want to accomplish. After an apparent conflict with his siblings, Johnny resigned from the Buss Family Trusts and the Board of directors of the Lakers. Thats what he basically said. I was happy to see the way that Dr. Buss and the franchise stuck by Earvin. We didnt plan to meet, but after work one time, I stopped at Dan Tanas by myself. How he figured out our monetary system, the Coast Guard, customs, the first inspector general of the Army ridiculous. Jeanie was always going to be slated as running the business side for as long as she lived, Johnny said. Born in Santa Monica, California, [1] Buss was the third of four children to Joann and Jerry Buss, and one of two daughters; she grew up with older brothers Johnny and Jim and younger sister Janie. His best finishes included third in the 1991 World Series of Poker seven-card stud event and second place in the 2003 World Poker Tour Freeroll invitational. I didnt get a phone call, or any kind of notification that, Well, Jerrys leaving, Mitch, and Im hiring you. I remember Jerry West retiring, and me saying, OK, whos the GM going to be? I think somebody asked me to reach out to Dr. Buss, and Dr. Buss said, Well Mitch, of course you are. I said, Thank you very much. I think he assumed it, but of course I didnt assume it. Joey is a member of the board of directors and serves as the President and CEO of the South Bay Lakers (formerly Los Angeles D-Fenders), an NBA G League team owned by the Lakers. It didnt have naming rights like Staples Center. He was a little bit more military stylistic of leadership than Jerry was. What do you think. Funeral arrangement under the care ofFox Funeral Home, Fox Funeral Home 1116 N 19th St, Beatrice, NE 68310, St. John Lutheran Church 701 N 6th St, Beatrice, NE 68310. We actually ended up making an offer, and then taking the offer off the table, because it still was not acceptable. I used to get a big kick out of saying, Our defense is a switching, sliding, sluffing, man-to-man with zone principals. And he would laugh. He was always right. And I know when it was all done, Dr. Buss was just very proud. (Jerry and JoAnn divorced in 1972.) There was purity to that. *It was a Mercedes Benz 420 in teal, a color that nobody else had. I dont think theres any thrill in it. Gerald Hatten "Jerry" Buss was born on Jan. 27, 1933, in Salt Lake City. So in 1985, Im playing for Dr. Jerry Buss, and hes a legend. What impressed me most about him was he would speak to the parking attendant, the staff, anybody he just liked people, and you felt that about him. It was just really cool. It was really important when I gave that speech not just to honor his memory and his legacy, but to also make sure we honor him in a way that we carry his legacy moving forward. Jerry Busss other two sons, Joey and Jesse, are also a part of the LA Lakers operations. 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. He currently resides in the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. He was like, The contract is good. It was a very unique way of conducting business. I understood him, because he was a man that loved to have fun, but he was also very competitive at everything. 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