Shaquille O’Neal breaks his silence on the multi-million-dollar sale of the Lakers, with Jeanie Buss in the spotlight

S haquille O’Neal has offered his perspective on the extraordinary ownership changes surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers , describing the business side of the franchise’s transition as a “monumental business move” while reflecting on the end of the Buss family’s long association with the team.

O’Neal , who became one of the defining figures in Lakers history during his eight seasons with the franchise, was asked about the record-setting transaction during an ESPN call-in with Treavor Scales .

Rather than focusing on the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers ’ leadership, the three-time champion highlighted the business achievement of the Buss family.

“I have great admiration for the Buss family,” O’Neal told Scales. “Learned a lot of business acumen from watching them. And I can remember how much Mr. Buss paid for the team. So, if the rumors are true and on how much they sold it for, I think it was a monumental business move.”

The comments are particularly significant because O’Neal's Lakers career unfolded under the ownership of the late Dr. Jerry Buss , who purchased the Lakers , the Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Forum in 1979 for $67.5 million.

The franchise subsequently became one of the most valuable properties in professional sports.

The Lakers were initially valued at $10 billion in the transaction involving Dodgers owner Mark Walter before another agreement reportedly placed the franchise at a staggering $12.5 billion valuation.

For O’Neal , that financial transformation is difficult to overlook.

“It will be different not knowing that the Buss family is there with the Lakers, but I want to wish them well, want to congratulate them. Thank you for the great memories that they gave me. But from a business standpoint, from what they purchased it for to what they sell for, you get the golf clap.”

When Scales pointed out that the increase represented billions of dollars in value, O’Neal agreed.

“Several billions worth of a golf clap,” Scales said.

“Yes, exactly,” O’Neal responded.

Jeanie Buss faces an uncertain future

While O’Neal's comments centered on the financial success of the Buss family, the ownership transition has also created considerable uncertainty around Jeanie Buss and her future with the Lakers.

Following Jerry Buss' death in 2013, Jeanie became the Lakers' controlling figure and team governor. The family retained a minority interest after Mark Walter 's acquisition of controlling interest, with Jeanie continuing to occupy the governor role.

However, the Buss family's internal dispute has complicated the next stage of the franchise's ownership structure.

Several of Jerry Buss ' children have reportedly backed a sale of their remaining family interests to a group involving Disney CEO Bob Iger and businessman Josh Kushner.

Jeanie Buss has challenged that process through her legal representatives, creating another layer of uncertainty around who will ultimately hold the team's formal leadership position.

The issue is particularly important because NBA governance requirements are tied to ownership thresholds. If Jeanie's personal or trust-held interest falls below the necessary level following the transaction, her position as governor could be affected.

That makes the ownership change about much more than a financial transaction. It could also mark the end of Jeanie Buss ' direct leadership of the organization her father built into one of the world's most recognizable sports brands.

For O’Neal , however, the broader legacy of the Buss era remains overwhelmingly positive. His Lakers tenure produced three consecutive championships alongside Kobe Bryant and established a dynasty that remains central to the franchise's identity.

His reaction also carries a degree of nostalgia. O’Neal acknowledged that seeing the Buss family depart will feel strange, but his primary takeaway was admiration for what Jerry Buss and his family accomplished from a business perspective.

The reported $12.5 billion valuation represents an extraordinary increase from the family's original investment, illustrating just how dramatically the Lakers ' financial standing has changed over nearly five decades.

The next chapter will therefore be closely watched. A new ownership group could eventually take control, while the battle surrounding Jeanie Buss' position continues to develop.

For Lakers fans, the change represents the possible conclusion of one of the longest-running ownership eras in American sports.

For O’Neal, it is also a moment to acknowledge the people who helped create the environment in which he became a champion, and to give the Buss family the “golf clap” he believes their remarkable business result deserves.