When Did Jerry Buss Buy The Lakers

When Jerry Buss Bought the Lakers: A Tale of Showtime and Magic

Picture this: It's 1979, and Jerry Buss, a real estate tycoon with a dream, is about to make a deal that would change the course of NBA history. Now, you might be thinking, "Why should I care about some old basketball transaction?" Well, buckle up, because this isn't just any old story. This is the story of how Jerry Buss bought the Los Angeles Lakers and brought us the era of 'Showtime'.

From Real Estate to the Hardwood

Jerry Buss was no stranger to big deals. He'd made a name for himself in the real estate game, buying and selling properties like they were going out of style. But in 1979, he had his eyes set on a new prize: the Los Angeles Lakers. The team was up for sale, and Buss saw an opportunity that he just couldn't pass up.

Think of it like this: You're walking down the street, and you see a beautiful, old house. It's a bit run down, but you can see the potential. That's what Buss saw in the Lakers. He knew with a little TLC, he could turn this team into something truly special.

Buss Makes His Move

So, how much did this dream house, I mean, basketball team, cost Buss? Well, he bought the Lakers for a cool $67.5 million. Now, that might sound like a lot, but remember, this was 1979. In today's money, that's about $270 million. Still a lot, but not quite as much as the $2 billion the Golden State Warriors were sold for in 2019.

Buss didn't just buy the team, though. He also bought the Forum, the Lakers' home court at the time. It was like buying a house and getting the furniture thrown in for free. Well, maybe not free, but you get the idea.

The real price Jerry Buss paid for LA Lakers shows incredible profit

Enter Magic and Kareem

Buss didn't stop at buying the team and the arena. He also started making some big changes. He hired a new coach, Pat Riley, and traded for a young, up-and-coming player named Magic Johnson. Oh, and he signed a certain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who just happened to be the league's leading scorer at the time.

Think of it like this: You buy a house, you renovate it, and then you move in some amazing roommates. That's exactly what Buss did with the Lakers. He created a dynasty that would dominate the NBA in the 80s and bring 'Showtime' to the hardwood.

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Why Should You Care?

So, why should you care about when Jerry Buss bought the Lakers? Well, for one, it's a story about a man who saw potential where others didn't. It's a tale of taking a risk and turning it into something truly magical.

But more than that, it's a story about the power of vision. Buss didn't just buy a basketball team; he created an era. He brought us some of the most iconic moments in NBA history, from Magic's no-look pass to Kareem's skyhook. He turned the Lakers into more than just a team; he turned them into a cultural phenomenon.

So, the next time you're watching a Lakers game, or any NBA game for that matter, remember the story of Jerry Buss. Remember the man who saw potential in a struggling team and turned them into something truly special. That, my friends, is why you should care about when Jerry Buss bought the Lakers.