"JESSE BUSS WAS at his Los Angeles area home when his phone buzzed with a text message from Joe McCormack, the Los Angeles Lakers' senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer. It was 8:45 a.m. PT on Nov. 20. Good morning, Jesse. I need to talk with you today about several organizational changes that will affect you. Please let me know when you have time. Thank you, Joe. Jesse, a Lakers co-owner and the team's assistant general manager, quickly texted back."
"Gone, too, were brothers Jim and Johnny, who held Lakers administrative roles, and sister Janie, who was 62, and near retirement. The Lakers were 15 games into the season and playing well, with an 11-4 record. The team's sale to Mark Walter -- at a $10 billion valuation -- had closed nearly three weeks prior, in late October. While leadership changes are often a given in any such transaction, this timing seemed off:"
"Janie pleaded to not be fired: "Please, let me resign." She was out but would be paid through the end of the calendar year. She told ESPN she felt disappointed and disrespected, like a crumpled-up piece of paper thrown into the trash. The only Buss still part of the team was Jeanie, driver of the sale to Walter and the team's governor since Jerry"
On Nov. 20 at 8:45 a.m. PT, Joe McCormack sent a text to Jesse Buss about organizational changes; minutes later, Joey received a similar message and was told he and Jesse were fired. Brothers Jim and Johnny and sister Janie, who was near retirement, were also removed from Lakers roles. The Lakers were 15 games into the season with an 11-4 record. The team's sale to Mark Walter, valued at about $10 billion, had closed nearly three weeks earlier. Janie pleaded to resign, was paid through year-end, and said she felt disappointed and disrespected. Jeanie Buss remained as team governor.
Read at ESPN.com
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