Joey and Jesse Buss, the youngest sons of former Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, are making serious moves to get back into the pro sports ownership game. According to a July 15 report from The Athletic, these guys aren't just dipping their toes in the water; they've already placed multiple bids for NBA Europe ownership through their new venture, Buss Sports Capital, and they're also eyeing a piece of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres.
NBA Europe: A New Frontier, With Buss Brothers Leading The Charge
This isn't some far-off dream; NBA Europe is on track to debut in October 2027, a full-blown development league being drawn up in partnership with FIBA. We're talking about a potential 16-team setup, with 12 permanent locations in cities like London, Paris, Madrid, and Rome. Four additional clubs would qualify season to season. Joey and Jesse Buss aren't waiting around, either. They're reportedly after franchises in multiple markets, including London, Manchester, and Lyon. Can you imagine the buzz if this takes off? There's even talk they might link up with Lakers star Luka Dončić and former Dallas Mavericks exec Donnie Nelson, whose investor group already bought Vanoli Cremona in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A. That club is relocating to Rome and aims to represent the city in NBA Europe. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver even confirmed bids are getting decided in the coming weeks. This thing is happening!From Lakers Front Office Firings To A Shot At The Padres
But wait, there's more. These brothers, who were relieved of their Lakers front-office duties not long after the team's $10 billion valuation sale, are also seriously interested in an ownership stake in MLB's San Diego Padres. This isn't a solo act, though; they'd be part of an ownership group led by José Feliciano and Kwanza Jones. And get this: Feliciano and Jones have *already agreed* to buy the Padres for a staggering $3.9 billion. MLB still needs to vote on it, but that's a massive number! Even though Joey and Jesse are still minority owners of the Lakers, they're clearly ready for their own show after being let go from their executive spots. Joey ran the G-League's South Bay Lakers as CEO and president, and Jesse was the scouting director. Now, they're looking to make their own empire. So, what's next for these guys? We've got NBA Europe bids getting decided in the coming weeks, and an MLB vote looming for that $3.9 billion Padres sale. It's a huge gamble, but Joey and Jesse Buss are showing they're not content just being minority owners. They want their own piece of the action, and they're going after it hard. Keep an eye on these developments; they could reshape parts of the pro sports landscape sooner than you think!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.