Jerry Buss

Jerry Buss (1933 to 2013) was an American businessman, investor, chemist and philanthropist, best known as the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Born in Salt Lake City, he earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Wyoming and a master's degree and doctorate in physical chemistry at the University of Southern California, then worked as a chemist and taught at USC. He invested in real estate from 1959 and with partner Frank Mariani formed the real estate investment company Mariani-Buss Associates. In 1979 he bought the Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings, The Forum and a ranch from Jack Kent Cooke for 67.5 million dollars, and later took charge of the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks. The Lakers won ten championships under his ownership, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor.