Alright, let’s talk about one of the most epic power moves in sports history. You might know the Lakers as the glitzy, championship-winning machine that they are today. But did you know it all started with a real estate mogul who had a crazy dream?
We’re talking about Dr. Jerry Buss. And the question is: when did he actually buy the Lakers? The short answer is 1979. But the story is way more fun than just a date on a calendar.
Picture this: it’s the late 1970s. The Lakers were good, sure. They had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a superstar with a skyhook that was practically unstoppable. But the team felt old-school, a little dusty, and frankly, not very exciting.
Must Read
The NBA itself was struggling. Games were sometimes shown on tape delay, and the league had a reputation for being a bit rough around the edges. Enter Jerry Buss, a guy who looked more like a Hollywood producer than a sports owner.
Buss was already a wealthy man from investing in real estate and chemistry. But he wanted to buy a sports team. Not just any team—he wanted the Lakers. And he had a vision that was completely different from anyone else’s.
The Big Purchase: 1979
So, the exact moment Jerry Buss bought the Lakers was May 27, 1979. He paid a whopping $67 million for the team, plus the Los Angeles Kings (hockey) and the Forum arena. At the time, people thought he was insane to pay that much.
The real price Jerry Buss paid for LA Lakers shows incredible profit
Let’s put that in perspective. $67 million in 1979 is a lot of money. But today, the Lakers are worth over six billion dollars. So, yeah, I’d say he made a pretty good investment. Talk about a long-term win!
Why did he buy them? Buss famously said he wanted to buy a team that could be a “show.” He didn’t just want basketball; he wanted a spectacle. He saw the Lakers as a form of entertainment, like a movie or a rock concert.
The Magic Touch
Here’s where it gets even better. In that same year—1979—the Lakers had the first pick in the NBA draft. And who did they draft? A skinny, smiling point guard from Michigan State named Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Coincidence? I think not.
Buss and Magic were a match made in heaven. Buss brought the glamour and the vision, and Magic brought the smile and the no-look passes. Together, they turned the Lakers into the most fun team on the planet.
The Los Angeles Lakers Sold for $10 Billion: Who Benefited and What
Imagine walking into the Forum in 1979. The music was louder. The cheerleaders were more flashy. And the players—with Magic’s energy and Kareem’s cool—were suddenly stars. Buss made basketball cool.
What Changed?
Before Buss, the Lakers were a team. After Buss, they became “Showtime.” He introduced the concept of the game as a party. He even hired a band to play during timeouts. Pure genius, right?
Fans started wearing nice clothes to games. Celebrities like Jack Nicholson and Dyan Cannon became regulars. The Lakers became the hottest ticket in Los Angeles, and frankly, the whole country.
How Much Did Jerry Buss Buy the Lakers for? Find Out – Hollywood Life
Buss also realized that players were brands. He treated them like royalty, giving them perks and making them feel like family. That loyalty paid off with five championships in the 1980s.
The "What If?" Factor
What if Jerry Buss hadn’t bought the Lakers in 1979? Imagine an NBA without Showtime. Without Magic vs. Bird. Without the purple and gold being the symbol of cool. It’s a scary thought, like a world without pizza.
Thankfully, Buss had the guts to make the deal. He saw the potential when everyone else saw a risky venture. He bet big on basketball, and the whole league won.
And let’s not forget: Buss didn’t just buy a team. He bought a dream. He wanted to create a place where families, celebrities, and regular folks could all share a moment of joy.
How Did Jerry Buss Buy the Lakers? HBO 'Winning Time' True Story
The Legacy
Jerry Buss owned the Lakers until his passing in 2013. His children now run the team, and they carry his philosophy of excellence and entertainment. The Lakers still have that Hollywood magic.
Today, when you see LeBron James throwing a lob to Anthony Davis, or when the crowd goes wild at Crypto.com Arena, remember that it all started with one man’s crazy idea back in 1979. Dr. Buss took a risk, and it paid off for decades.
So, the next time you watch a Lakers game, raise a glass to Jerry Buss. He didn’t just buy a basketball team. He bought a legend—and he made sure it would shine brighter than any star in Hollywood.
And here’s the uplifting part: You don’t have to be a billionaire to take a leap of faith. Buss’s story reminds us that sometimes, the best things happen when we follow a crazy, joyful vision. So go ahead, dream big. Who knows? Your 1979 might be just around the corner.