Meet Jeanie Buss: Lakers president behind the Doncic trade and inspiration for Kate Hudson’s character on the Netflix series “Running Point”
The new Netflix series “Running Point” features Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon, a character based off Los Angeles Lakers executive Jeanie Buss.
Jeanie Buss is one of very few people who knew about the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade before it happened. Buss is the Los Angeles Lakers' controlling owner and president. She, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, and Mavs' ownership kept the Doncic trade for Anthony Davis under tight wraps until the moment it was executed.
Was the @lakers governor as shocked as the rest of the basketball world when the Luka trade was finally completed?@JeanieBuss took us behind-the-scenes on the #NBA blockbuster:#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/FmVasg8Qpi
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 25, 2025
Jeanie Buss inspired “Running Point”
Buss gained governor responsibilities over the Lakers when her father Jerry Buss, the previous owner, passed away in 2013. Before that, she served as vice president of the team. In 2020, she became the first female controlling owner to guide an NBA team to a championship. She now has six NBA titles as an owner/executive.
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) January 21, 2025
Her story inspired the new Netflix series produced by Mindy Kaling, “Running Point”, in which actress Kate Hudson portrays a character based on Buss. The series, which premiered on Thursday, February 27, is a comedy about a woman, Isla Gordon, from a wealthy family, who is appointed president of the Los Angeles Waves basketball team after her father passes away.
In the series, Isla struggles to convince the men, including her brothers, in her male-dominated field that she has what it takes to bring success to the franchise. In Buss' case, she shared the family business with her five siblings, who all received an equal vote after the death of their father. After Jeanie was appointed governor, the Buss siblings publicly feuded over the business. In 2017, she and her brothers Jim and Johnny agreed to make her controlling owner of the team.
Kaling confirmed that the series is based off of Buss' story. Buss is also credited as an executive producer on the show.
“It was actually Jeanie Buss who reached out because she liked ‘The Mindy Project’ and ‘The Office,’” Kaling told Time magazine. “So many people write about her and make shows where she’s a tertiary character. She was like, ‘I run this. I want to be a producer on a show about my own life.’”
This looks a little familiar 🤔@mindykaling and Kate Hudson on @netflix - sounds like a winner 🏆 https://t.co/2fyXOXL6oF
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) January 21, 2025
“Everyone thinks, ‘Was this [Doncic] trade done to promote the show?’ I don’t think so,” Buss told ESPN.
Buss said that the series gives people insight into “what it’s like to be a female in leadership in a male-dominated world.”
“And I really think that Mindy has captured the essence of what it’s like, and keeping a sense of humor,” said Buss. “I married a comedian and I know how much comedy helps us process awkward situations, tough situations. So I think it’s really... I couldn’t be more proud.”
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