Jeanie Buss revealed that the NBA forced her and Phil Jackson to sign an agreement prohibiting them from discussing basketball, a move that she believes created an unfair double standard and ultimately strained their relationship.
In her latest interview with Texas Public Radio’s Alejandra Martinez, Buss opened up about the challenges she faced during her tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and the difficulties that arose from Jackson’s departure to the New York Knicks.
“I had this great time in my life where I was with Phil Jackson, the legendary NBA coach. And there was a period when my brother was still running basketball that they were maybe going to bring Phil back for a third time because Kobe was frustrated.”
“And instead they called Phil at midnight, woke us up and said they had hired Mike D’Antoni as the coach, which was really difficult for me to hear because it was just the cruelest thing they could do, you know?”
“So I encouraged Phil to look for another job, and he ended up taking the New York Knicks job. And literally the NBA made Phil and I sign a letter that said we would not speak about basketball because people felt in our positions it was a conflict of interest.”
“I don’t think they make brothers who are running two different teams sign a letter like that.”
Buss recalled a pivotal moment when the Lakers were considering bringing Jackson back for a third coaching stint amid growing frustration from Kobe Bryant. However, in what she described as a devastating move, the organization instead hired Mike D’Antoni, informing Jackson with a midnight phone call.
The decision blindsided both of them and left Buss disheartened by the way it was handled. Understanding that Jackson’s coaching days in Los Angeles were over, she encouraged him to explore other opportunities, leading to his eventual hiring as the Knicks’ team president.
What followed was an unexpected mandate from the NBA, requiring both Buss and Jackson to sign a letter ensuring they would not discuss basketball due to a perceived conflict of interest.
This agreement prevented them from having even casual conversations about the sport they both dedicated their lives to, something Buss found deeply unfair. She pointed out that the league does not impose similar restrictions on siblings who work for different teams, raising questions about why she and Jackson were singled out.
The imposed restriction had a profound effect on their relationship. Buss admitted that she had always valued Jackson’s insights and leaned on his basketball expertise. Losing that connection created a strain, and she had to seek counsel elsewhere.
“Well, it drove a wedge in our relationship. I had come to depend on Phil’s counsel. Now I can’t talk to Phil.”
“So I leaned on Kobe a lot. Kobe was somebody that was always there for me. Phil had said, ‘When I go to New York, you can always talk to Magic, but Kobe will always be there for you, Jeanie. He believes in you.'”
The revelation sheds light on the personal and professional challenges Buss endured while steering the Lakers through turbulent times. Despite the NBA’s interference, she persevered, ultimately leading the franchise back to success.
Yet, the agreement remains a significant moment in her journey, highlighting the complexities of power dynamics within the league and the sacrifices required to stay at the helm of an iconic franchise.
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