Jerry Buss

Jerry Buss was a successful American businessman, chemist, and sports team owner, best known for his ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers and other Los Angeles-based sports teams, including the Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Sparks. He was a prominent figure in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and his teams won numerous NBA championships and WNBA championships during his ownership. Buss was also a successful real estate investor and owned several hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, including the Luxor Hotel and Casino and the Palms Casino Resort. He was a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Wyoming, where he earned degrees in chemistry and physics from Wyoming and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from USC.

● Early Life and Education

Jerry Buss was born on January 27, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Jesse Buss and Gladys Buss. He grew up in Wyoming and developed an interest in chemistry and physics at a young age, which led him to pursue a degree in chemistry from the University of Wyoming. After graduating from Wyoming, Buss moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California (USC), where he earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. During his time at USC, Buss was a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity and was involved in various research projects with his professors, including Dr. Sidney Benson and Dr. John Olmsted. After completing his education, Buss worked as a research chemist at the Douglas Aircraft Company and later at the TRW Inc..

● Business Career

Jerry Buss began his business career in the real estate industry, investing in apartment buildings and office buildings in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He was a successful real estate investor and developed several shopping centers and hotels in California and Nevada, including the Forum in Inglewood, California, and the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Buss was also a partner in the Kobe Bryant-owned BodyArmor sports drink company and had investments in several other sports teams, including the Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Sparks. He was a member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, and served on the boards of several charitable organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the United Service Organizations (USO).

● Los Angeles Lakers Ownership

In 1979, Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers from Jack Kent Cooke for $67.5 million, which was a record price for a sports team at the time. During his ownership, the Lakers won 10 NBA championships, including five titles in the 1980s with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and three consecutive titles from 2000 to 2002 with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. Buss was known for his hands-on approach to ownership and was involved in all aspects of the team, from player personnel to marketing and sponsorship deals. He was a member of the NBA Board of Governors and served on several NBA committees, including the NBA Finance Committee and the NBA Competition Committee. Buss was also a key figure in the development of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which became the home arena of the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.

● Personal Life

Jerry Buss was married four times and had six children, including Jeanie Buss, who succeeded him as the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a private person and kept a low profile, but was known for his love of poker and gambling, and was a regular at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas. Buss was also a fan of classical music and was a supporter of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl. He was a member of the Bel Air Country Club and the Beverly Hills Country Club, and enjoyed playing golf and tennis in his free time. Buss was also a philanthropist and supported several charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross and the United Way.

● Legacy

Jerry Buss's legacy in the sports world is still felt today, and he is widely regarded as one of the most successful sports team owners in history. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Fame in 2013. Buss was also a recipient of the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award and the WNBA Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a pioneer in the sports industry and played a key role in the development of the NBA and the WNBA. Buss's impact on the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles sports scene is still celebrated today, and he will always be remembered as a true Lakers legend and a sports icon.

● Death and Tributes

Jerry Buss passed away on February 18, 2013, at the age of 80, due to complications from cancer. He was remembered by the sports world and the Los Angeles community for his contributions to the Los Angeles Lakers and his philanthropic efforts. The Los Angeles Lakers held a memorial service for Buss at the Staples Center, which was attended by NBA legends such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant. The NBA also paid tribute to Buss by having a moment of silence before each game during the 2013 NBA playoffs. Buss's legacy continues to live on through the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles sports scene, and he will always be remembered as a true sports pioneer and a Lakers legend. Category:American businesspeople