Ownership: no sale vote expected this week
Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal reported Monday that league sources do not expect Mark Walter’s proposed $12.5 billion sale to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger to be voted on at this week’s NBA Board of Governors meetings in New York (Sept. 15–16). Lakers Nation, Lakers Wire, SI, and Lakers Daily all carried that sourcing overnight.
Any ownership change still needs 23 of 30 governors. Friend’s reporting (via Lakers Daily) adds that the Lakers situation is more likely handled in committee than as a floor vote this session; the public agenda is expected to lean toward NBA Europe, expansion, and local TV. Kushner still must clear limited Heat equity before a full approval path—flagged earlier by ESPN, not newly confirmed overnight.
Jeanie Buss is expected to attend as Lakers governor. One rival governor told Friend they “assume Jeanie will” be there. Depending on how the majority and family-stake tracks resolve, this could be among her last BOG trips—speculation, not a league ruling.
The Buss family trust’s ~17.8% stake fight remains on a separate clock: Jeanie’s LA Superior Court petition (seeking to block siblings’ sale and enforce a 2017 order keeping her eligible as controlling owner) is set for Dec. 8 after the Nov. 5 date was continued. Walter’s majority path and the trust dispute are related politically but not the same transaction.
No Adam Silver press-conference transcript was available for this morning’s build (Silver’s Tuesday-afternoon BOG media availability is expected later today ET).
Lakers Nation (Hansford, Sept. 14) · Lakers Wire · SI · Lakers Daily
Front office: Amsler + D’Amelio now official
The team formally announced (Sept. 11) Eric Amsler as assistant GM, player personnel, and Keith D’Amelio as director of integrated performance systems—both reporting to Rob Pelinka. Amsler spent ~22 seasons with Miami (most recently VP of player personnel / Skyforce GM). D’Amelio’s prior stops include the Celtics, Raptors, WNBA’s Liberty, and Nike. LA Times and NY Post covered the announcements; this closes the second AGM slot after Rohan Ramadas joined in May for strategy/analytics.
No brand-new FO move overnight beyond that already-confirmed pair.
LA Times · NY Post · ESPN (Amsler sourcing)
Roster: still over 15; Knecht / Vanderbilt chatter
No confirmed trade overnight. Insider chatter (Jake Fischer, amplified this week) still has L.A. open to exploring deals involving Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt for a wing/forward upgrade after missing Jonathan Kuminga (Timberwolves, NBA log Sept. 3). Lakers Wire notes the club sits at 16 standard contracts versus the 15-man regular-season limit—so a cut or trade remains on the calendar before camp.
Treat Knecht/Vanderbilt talk as shopping exploration, not an imminent deal.
Lakers Wire · Hardwood Heroics (Fischer recap)
Watch next
- Today–Wed. NBA Board of Governors in New York; Silver presser expected Tuesday afternoon ET (sale vote not expected).
- Media day Sept. 28 · camp open ~Sept. 29 · regular season Oct. 20.
- Roster consolidation to 15 (trade or cut) before camp.
- Dec. 8 LA Superior Court hearing on the Buss family-stake petition.