It’s not often you see two of the most powerful individuals in a sport romantically involved with each other. But we got just that during the relationship between New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson and Los Angeles Lakers part-owner and team president, Jeanie Buss. Two major players in the NBA leading two of the most iconic franchises in the game.
Phil and Jeanie began to reportedly kindle a relationship during Jackson’s tenure as the head coach of the Lakers as Jeanie worked up the ranks under her father’s ownership of the team. Reportedly as far back as 1999, Jackson and Buss began dating and officially were engaged on January 3rd, 2013. Jackson led the Lakers to five championships during his stint with the Lakers that was on and off for over a decade, the same time he and Jeanie were reportedly together.
After her father, Jerry died in 2013, his controlling ownership (66%) of the Lakers passed to his six children. In 2013–14, she became president of the Lakers and continued to assume her father’s previous title as the Lakers’ governor as well as its team representative at NBA Board of Governors meetings. She continued to lead the team’s business operations, while also overseeing its basketball operations by working with brother Jim, who continued as executive VP of basketball operations. The siblings have reportedly clashed over the time since their father’s passing, but as of late, all appears to be headed in the right direction.
Jackson began his role with the New York Knicks in March of 2014. After one season with the team, rumors began circulating about Phil’s departure. He reportedly wanted to go back to Los Angeles and rejoin Jeanie in the Lakers organization. There were some obstacles to hurdle, but many assumed this would be the path the ‘Zen Master’ would take.
Now those plans don’t seem to be coming through anymore and Phil’s idea of wanting to stay with the Knicks, possibly beyond his current contract, might actually be the way he goes. Both Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss announced on twitter that their engagement is off.
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) December 28, 2016
Nothing but love and respect for this man. @PhilJackson11 https://t.co/jlgNhnZvOA
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) December 28, 2016
