Lakers’ owner Jerry Buss gets five years probation for DUI charges

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss received a sentence of five years probation and was ordered to pay a $1,900 fine in Vista Superior Court Tuesday, Sept. 4, after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in May on a northern San Diego County road, according to a story published Sept. 4 by the Press-Enterprise. The 74-year-old Lakers owner was stopped by police for driving his gold Mercedes Benz on the wrong side of the road in Carlsbad, California, where he allegedly owns a home, according to the article. In a prepared statement released by Buss, the Lakers owner said he only drove a short distance but recognizes that it was a bad decision. “I was wrong to do it,” Buss said in the statement. “It was a mistake I won’t make again.” This was Buss’ first conviction and he was ordered by a judge to take part in a rehabilitation program administered by Mother Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Buss, a Wyoming native and former USC teacher and real estate developer, purchased the Los Angeles Lakers, along with the NHL Los Angeles Kings hockey team, in 1979 for a whopping total of $67.5 million - the largest transaction in sports history at that time. The Lakers have been successful under Buss, winning eight NBA championships and garnering such players as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquile O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. As the team’s season starts up this October, now is the time to secure Lakers tickets for this year by visiting Stubhub.com. Snag a pair today and don’t miss out on any of the action-packed excitement!

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