Cover Jeanie Buss and Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix attend the Running Point LA Lakers Game at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Jeanie Buss and Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix attend the Running Point LA Lakers Game at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
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Netflix’s ‘Running Point’ takes cues from Jeanie Buss’s real-life rise to power. These six facts reveal her true story
Netflix’s Running Point follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a former socialite thrust into the chaotic world of professional basketball after inheriting the Los Angeles Waves. With no prior experience, she must navigate sceptical executives, power-hungry family members, and a league that doubts her leadership. The high-stakes drama takes clear inspiration from Jeanie Buss, the real-life owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers. Here’s what you need to know about the woman behind the story.
Read more: The billionaires behind the 6 most expensive NBA franchises
1. She took over the Lakers and made it her own
Jeanie Buss didn’t just inherit the Lakers—she had to fight for control. After her father, Dr Jerry Buss, passed away in 2013, she became embroiled in a bitter family power struggle. Her own brothers attempted to sideline her, but she outmanoeuvred them, securing her role as controlling owner. Running Point mirrors this boardroom drama, as Isla Gordon faces similar betrayals while asserting her authority.
2. She made NBA history as the league’s first female owner of a championship team
In 2020, Jeanie Buss became the first woman to lead an NBA team to a championship. The Lakers’ victory, led by LeBron James, was a defining moment—not just for the franchise but for her legacy as well. It was a powerful statement in a league historically dominated by male executives. Running Point leans into this theme, showing Isla Gordon battling outdated notions of leadership while proving her worth.
3. She was running a sports franchise at 19.
Before stepping into her role with the Lakers, Jeanie Buss was already making waves in sports management. At just 19, she became the general manager of the Los Angeles Strings, a professional tennis team owned by her father. This early exposure to team operations and negotiations laid the foundation for her later success. Running Point reflects this aspect of her story, portraying Isla as someone learning the ropes in real-time.
4. She turned a fractured Lakers franchise into a powerhouse again
By the time Jeanie Buss officially took over, the Lakers were struggling—both financially and on the court. She made the bold decision to fire longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak and her own brother, Jim Buss, from basketball operations. These moves paved the way for the signings of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, ultimately leading to another championship. Running Point takes creative liberties, but Isla’s efforts to rebuild her fictional franchise parallel Buss’s real-life shake-up of the Lakers.
5. She has been ‘Simpsonized’
Jeanie Buss made pop culture history when she was immortalised in The Simpsons. In a 2023 episode titled “The King of Nice”, she appeared as a cartoon version of herself, making her one of the few NBA executives to be featured on the iconic show. The moment cemented her mainstream influence beyond basketball—something Running Point also taps into as it dramatises her journey to the top.
6. She didn’t just inspire ‘Running Point’—she helped create it
Jeanie Buss didn’t just serve as the real-life blueprint for Running Point—she was also involved behind the scenes. As an executive producer, she helped shape the show’s depiction of ownership struggles, league politics, and the constant pressure of running an elite team. This level of involvement ensured the series felt authentic rather than just a glossy, dramatised version of NBA life.
More than just a sports drama, Running Point offers a glimpse into the power dynamics, strategy, and resilience required to lead a billion-dollar franchise. And while Isla Gordon’s journey is fictional, Jeanie Buss’s real-life story is even more compelling.
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