The Two Husbands And One NBA Legend: Inside Jeanie Buss’s Surprising Marital History And Current Life

The question of "Is Jeanie Buss married?" finally has a definitive and recent answer, but the details are as unexpected as a buzzer-beater shot. As of late 2025, the powerful controlling owner and President of the Los Angeles Lakers is indeed married, having tied the knot in a private, intimate ceremony with her partner, comedian and actor Jay Mohr, in 2023. This wedding marked her second time down the aisle, following a brief first marriage and a nearly two-decade-long, high-profile engagement to an NBA coaching legend that ultimately never resulted in marriage. Her current union with Mohr is notable not just for the surprise wedding, but for the modern, "atypical" living arrangement they maintain, proving that the woman who runs one of the world's most famous basketball franchises lives life—and love—on her own terms.

The journey of Jeanie Buss's romantic life is intertwined with her groundbreaking career in sports, reflecting a personal philosophy where professional ambition often took precedence over traditional domesticity. Her story involves two husbands, a 17-year relationship with a hall-of-fame coach, and a relentless focus on the Los Angeles Lakers dynasty that her late father, Dr. Jerry Buss, built. This deep dive explores her complete marital timeline, her current life with Jay Mohr, and the biographical details that define one of the most powerful women in professional sports.

Jeanie Buss: Full Biographical Profile and Career Timeline

Jeanie Marie Buss is one of the most influential and successful executives in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Her life has been dedicated to the business of basketball, a legacy inherited from her visionary father, Dr. Jerry Buss. Her professional achievements are historic, making her the first female controlling owner to win an NBA Championship, which she accomplished with the Lakers in 2020.

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• Full Name: Jeanie Marie Buss
• Date of Birth: September 26, 1961
• Age (as of December 2025): 64
• Birthplace: Santa Monica, California
• Education: University of Southern California (USC), where she studied business.
• Father: Dr. Jerry Buss (Former owner of the Los Angeles Lakers)
• Siblings: She is one of six children, including Jim Buss, Joey Buss, and Jesse Buss, who all inherited a stake in the Lakers through a family trust.
• Current Role: Controlling Owner and President of the Los Angeles Lakers.
• Other Ventures: Co-owner of the professional wrestling promotion Women Of Wrestling (WOW).
• Estimated Net Worth: Varies significantly, often cited between $500 million and $1 billion, largely due to her stake in the Lakers franchise.

Buss began her sports executive journey in 1979 at the age of 19, managing the Los Angeles Strings tennis team. Her career trajectory included roles as president of the Great Western Forum and eventually Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Lakers. Following her father's passing in 2013, she assumed the role of controlling owner, successfully navigating a family conflict to gain full control of basketball operations in 2017.

The Two Marriages: From Volleyball Star to Comedian

While Jeanie Buss is most famously linked to her long-term engagement with Phil Jackson, she has actually been married twice. Both marriages reflect different chapters of her life and her evolving relationship with the demands of her career.

First Marriage: Steve Timmons (1990–1993)

Jeanie Buss’s first marriage was to Olympic gold medalist and professional volleyball player Steve Timmons. They married in 1990, but the union was short-lived, ending in divorce after just three years in 1993.

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Buss has been candid about the reasons for the divorce, attributing the failure to her prioritization of her career over her personal life. She once stated that she "never put my marriage first," a sentiment that speaks volumes about her dedication to the Lakers organization even early in her career. This commitment set a precedent for her subsequent relationships, demonstrating that her professional life was her primary passion.

Current Marriage: Jay Mohr (Married 2023)

In a relationship that began around 2017, Jeanie Buss found love with comedian, actor, and radio host Jon Ferguson “Jay” Mohr. The couple went public with their relationship in 2021 and surprised many by announcing their engagement shortly thereafter.

The couple officially got married in an intimate, beachside ceremony in Malibu on September 3, 2023. This second marriage came as a joyful surprise to many who had followed her long-term single status following the end of her relationship with Phil Jackson. Jay Mohr, known for his stand-up comedy and roles in films like Jerry Maguire, has been a supportive presence, often seen alongside Buss at Lakers games and events.

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The Atypical Arrangement: Perhaps the most unique and modern aspect of their marriage is their unconventional living situation. Reports indicate that Buss and Mohr maintain an "atypical" arrangement where they live in separate homes. This decision highlights Buss’s independent nature and her need to maintain a separation between her high-pressure professional life and her personal space. For a woman whose entire world revolves around the Lakers, this arrangement allows both partners to pursue their demanding careers while still maintaining a strong, committed relationship.

The End of a Dynasty Romance: Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson

While her current marriage to Jay Mohr is a source of personal happiness, the most scrutinized and famous romantic chapter of Jeanie Buss’s life was her 17-year relationship with legendary NBA coach Phil Jackson.

The relationship began in 1999, shortly after Jackson took over as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a true "power couple" romance, uniting the team's executive with the coach who would lead the franchise to five NBA championships during the "Kobe-Shaq" and "Kobe-Pau" eras.

• Relationship Timeline: 1999–2016
• Engagement: They became engaged on Christmas Day in 2012.
• The Breakup: In December 2016, the couple announced the end of their engagement and relationship.

The primary reason for their separation was the inevitable conflict between their careers and the long-distance nature of their relationship. When Jackson took the role of President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks in 2014, the geographical distance—and the organizational conflict of interest—put an immense strain on their bond.

Buss famously stated that her commitment to the Lakers superseded everything, even her relationship with Jackson. The relationship’s end was an acknowledgment that the distance and the conflict of interest (running rival NBA teams) were insurmountable obstacles. This decision cemented her unwavering loyalty to the Lakers, a trait she inherited from her father, Dr. Jerry Buss. Her choice demonstrated that her professional legacy was the one she was truly committed to protecting.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords

The story of Jeanie Buss’s marriages and relationships is impossible to separate from her professional world. Her life is a constant balancing act between personal happiness and the demands of the Los Angeles Lakers, an organization that is as much a part of her identity as her own name.

Her current husband, Jay Mohr, is a constant source of support, often publicly defending her and the team. Their modern, separate-living marriage arrangement is a testament to the unique compromises required when two high-profile individuals with demanding careers commit to a life together.

The saga of Jeanie Buss’s romantic life, from her first marriage to Steve Timmons, her long engagement to Phil Jackson, and her current happy union with Jay Mohr, ultimately confirms one fact: Jeanie Buss is a powerful executive who will always prioritize the success and stability of the Los Angeles Lakers, and any partner in her life must understand and respect that commitment.

Key Entities and Related Topics:

• Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers Dynasty)
• Dr. Jerry Buss (Father and team founder)
• Jim Buss (Brother and former executive)
• Phil Jackson (Ex-fiancé and legendary coach)
• Jay Mohr (Current husband and comedian)
• Steve Timmons (First husband and Olympian)
• Women Of Wrestling (WOW) (Business venture)
• Kobe Bryant (Lakers legend)
• NBA Championship (2020 victory)
• New York Knicks (Jackson's executive role)
• Jerry Maguire (Mohr's famous film)