COMMENTARY | The Los Angeles Lakers lost a major part of their identity as a franchise with the passing of longtime owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, on Monday, January 18.
But the NBA and sports world lost an innovator and a man responsible
for much of what fans know today as the status quo in a league known as
much for its entertainment value as its amazing athletes.
What is an innovator besides a term people throw around often when
mentioning many great figures in history? Here's the simple definition
according to Merriam-Webster:
"One who creates or introduces something new."
In an NBA that was already over 30 years old when Buss took over as the Lakers' owner in 1979, he did things routinely that no one else had ever done before. Moreover, he did them better than anyone could have imagined.
Here's a look at five ground-breaking accomplishments that do the innovator moniker justice:
1. Laker girls
Dr. Buss was a sports fan before he was an owner, and he knew that cheerleaders brought an entertainment element to the fan experience that the NBA had not seen until 1979 when he founded the all-female dance team.
But the ladies were as talented as they were attractive. Buss put work into developing them as a brand and even had Michael Jackson help with choreography on an occasion. They are now a current staple of not only the Lakers' organization, but every NBA team and the gold standard at what they do.
2. Courtside seats
Most people think courtside seats are something that's been around as long as the NBA, but when Dr. Buss wanted to put seats right on the court, he was told it was too dangerous, crazy and wouldn't work.
Like any pioneer, however, he ignored the backlash and did it anyway. He blazed a trail once again for his fellow owners to follow. Now, courtside seats are in every arena. But there's still nowhere else like Los Angeles to sit courtside.
3. The Forum Club
No one liked to have a good time more than Buss, but he also fused his social skills with business acumen. Former Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke built The Forum Club with the idea that it would be a family-friendly lounge where fans could enjoy a snack and one another's company.
Buss turned it into the hottest nightclub of the '80s. It wasn't uncommon for celebrities and players to come through or to even see legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn tending the bar.
It sounds like a movie, but it was the Lakers' reality. It was Hollywood.
4. Bought Lakers, Kings and GW Forum
When Buss purchased the Lakers for a historic $67.5 million, it was the largest transaction in sports history. He wasn't afraid to spend money, but he was a savvy investor who made financial moves with the end goal in mind.
For example, in 1988, he sold the naming rights to Great Western Savings & Loan and made the team even more profitable in a move that was again unheard of. Today, there's not one building in the NBA without corporate sponsorship.
5. Magic Johnson's unprecedented contract
The Lakers are known to this day as big spenders. That all started with Dr. Buss. When he bought the team in 1979, one condition of his purchase was that they had to draft Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
Like the bold poker player he became in his later years, Buss went all-in with Johnson and signed him to an unheard of 25-year, $25 million contract. Ironically, it seemed outrageous at the time, but it turned out not to be enough in terms of what Johnson did for the Lakers, the city of Los Angeles and the great owner himself.
It takes intelligence, foresight and courage to be a true innovator. These examples above are just a small part of what made the late, great Dr. Jerry Buss the best owner in sports history. Everything he touched almost literally turned to gold -- with a little bit of purple mixed in.
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