Jami Thompson
The former executive vice president Jim Buss is also the part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association. The son of former Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Jim followed in his father’s footsteps.
Early Life, Family, and Education
Jim Buss was born on November 9, 1959, to Jerry Buss and JoAnn Mueller in Los Angeles County, California. Jerry, Jim’s father, was a successful businessman, chemist, investor, and philanthropist.
In addition, he also owned a large portion of the NBA’s “Los Angeles Lakers” professional basketball franchise. Jim grew up as the second of six children of the Buss family.
The five children in his family are his stepbrothers Joey Buss and Jesse Buss, Jeanie Buss, Janie Buss, and Johnny Buss, the oldest.
Jim’s father and mother got divorced and went their separate ways in 2012. Later, in 2013, his father passed away as a result of kidney failure brought on by an unidentified type of cancer.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ controlling ownership was got divided equally among his six children after his death. Jim studied mathematics at the University of Southern California.
He then dropped out of college and spent his formative years working with thoroughbreds at racetracks. The breed of horse is ideal for horse racing.
James enrolled in the Jockey school when he was 20 years old.
Jim Buss Career and Profession
Jim and his best friend made a little business investment. Sadly, their firm failed after his companion passed away in a vehicle accident in 1988, leaving him distraught and bewildered.
In 1985, James quickly succeeded his brother Johnny as president of the Los Angeles Lazers, the indoor soccer team owned by his father.
Professional career
He reduced losses from $1 million to $500,000 annually. The group disbanded, nevertheless, in 1989. Buss then started training horses after obtaining his father’s half-dozen thoroughbreds.
He sold off his interest in the horse racing industry, which had become more unprofitable in 1997. Soon after, he urged his son to sign up for the Lakers, a team he had bought in 1979.
Moreover, it turned into one of the most successful and well-liked in all sports.
Jim Buss On Lakers
In 1998, Buss began working for the Lakers as Mitch Kupchak’s trainee. Kupchak was Jerry West’s general manager and assistant.
Jim continued to learn about the basketball industry from his father, West, and later Mitch Kupchak, who took over as general manager in 2000.
In addition, he also received a promotion from the company to vice president of player personnel later in 2005. However, his father’s first strategy called for Buss to make basketball-related judgments.
His sister Jeanie was promoted to vice president of the Lakers’ business operations. Jim was a strong proponent of choosing high school athlete Andrew Bynum during the 2005 NBA, which required his father’s approval.
He was also involved in Phil Jackson’s re-employment as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. At Jackson’s welcome-back news conference, only Buss’s family was present.
After Jackson retired, the Lakers association named Brian Shaw as his replacement. Jim, however, decided to hire Mike Brown rather than Shaw without first consulting Kobe Bryant, the top player for the Laker.
In an unusual radio interview, the esteemed Shaw attacked Jim for how he was treated during the employment process.
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Lockout End
After the NBA lockout ended in the winter of 2011, Jim agreed to trade Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom to the New Orleans Hornets in order to get Chris Paul from them.
However, NBA commissioner David Stern prohibited the deal from happening. The Lakers acquired Steve Nash the following NBA season by exchanging Bynum for Dwight Howard.
The Lakers’ acquisition of Howard marked the beginning of a new dynasty. Everyone assumed that the Lakers would become title contenders with their $100 million payrolls.
After a 1-4 start, Brown was nonetheless fired by the organization. The third-fastest coaching change in NBA history came as a result of his departure following only five games.
Net Worth and Salary
The estimated net worth of Jim Buss is yet to be calculated. After Jim’s father passed away, their family trust distributed Jerry’s assets, including his $600 million estate, equally among the Buss children.
Jim makes the most of his money as a basketball trainer. He is currently living a lavish lifestyle with his family and is content with his life.
Jim Buss’s Wife and Children
Jim typically stays out of the spotlight and is introverted. His personal life is therefore typically kept discreet from the public.
According to reports, Jim married in 1983 but separated from his wife a few months later for unavoidable circumstances.
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As a result of a social worker keeping an eye on the couple during the adoption process, they jointly adopted their son Jager Buss and kept living together.
In 1985, the couple quickly split, and Jim was awarded exclusive custody of their son. Additionally, he has two daughters, Micaela and Milahna Buss.
Social Media
You cannot find Jin Buss on any social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Some Of The FAQs Of Jim Buss
When did Jim Buss buy the Lakers?
Jim Buss purchased the Lakers in May 1979.
How old is Jim Buss?
Born on November 9, 1959, Jim Buss is 62 years old.
How long did Jim Buss own the Lakers?
Jim along with his five siblings is a part-owner of the Lakers.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | James Hatten Buss |
| Birth Date | November 9, 1959 |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles County, California |
| Age | 62 Years Old |
| Nick Name | Jim Buss |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Southern California (USC) |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Father’s Name | Jerry Buss |
| Mother’s Name | JoAnn Mueller |
| Siblings | Johnny Buss, Jeanie Buss, Janie Buss, Joey Buss, Jesse Buss |
| Height | 6’2″ (1.88 m) |
| Weight | N/A |
| Build | Athletic |
| Shoe Size | N/A |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Grey |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Not Disclosed |
| Children | Jager Buss, Micaela Buss, Milahna Buss |
| Profession | Former Vice president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers |
| Net Worth | $150 million |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
