Joey and Jesse Buss Seek Ownership Role in Planned NBA Europe League
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Former Los Angeles Lakers executives Joey and Jesse Buss are bidding to become part of the ownership structure for the NBA’s forthcoming Europe-based league, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Sources told ESPN that the brothers, operating through their investment vehicle Buss Sports Capital, are making an “aggressive pursuit” to buy into one of the new franchises the NBA hopes to launch in major European markets. Current Lakers star Luka Doncic is also reportedly interested in securing an ownership stake.
The Buss brothers already have ties on the continent. They maintain a longstanding relationship with former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, and France is viewed as a potential landing spot for a future club, McMenamin reported.
Before their exit from Los Angeles, Joey Buss served as the team’s alternate governor and vice president of research and development, while Jesse Buss held the post of assistant general manager. Both were instrumental in the Lakers’ draft and scouting successes, helping uncover late-round talents such as Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Clarkson and Max Christie, and undrafted contributors Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso.
Their tenure ended in late 2025 after the Buss family sold the Lakers to Mark Walter. Joey and Jesse were the only Buss siblings to vote against the sale, a stance widely believed to have influenced their subsequent dismissal.
Joining the NBA Europe project would mark the brothers’ return to basketball ownership and front-office involvement, offering a fresh platform following their departure from the Lakers.
Meanwhile, Lakers guard Austin Reaves said he is still adjusting to LeBron James’ decision to continue his career elsewhere, a development that followed Reaves’ own four-year maximum contract extension this offseason.
Source: LakersNation.com
