Ex-LA Lakers owner Jerry Buss built this California retreat. It’s now for sale

Sports fans always knew Dr. Jerry Buss had a flair for the dramatic when it came to the basketball court. But what most didn’t know is that he also used that same fiery passion when it came to real estate, too. The late owner of the Los Angeles Lakers proved that with his custom-designed Rancho Santa Fe vacation home in California, which is now on the market for $11.85 million.

The eight-bedroom, 10-bathroom estate was named Rancho Sueno (Dream Ranch). Bought in 2022, the current owners oversaw a complete home makeover.

The 9,792-square-foot mansion is dripping with high-end features, including:

• Championship tennis court

• Eight-car garage

• Three-stall barn

• Two putting greens

• Swimming pool

• Pool house

• Orchard

• High ceilings

• Chef’s kitchen

• White oak floors

• Back kitchen

• Four pickleball courts

• Basketball court

During the Buss years, the mansion saw its fair share of A-list celebrities.

Jerry and Karen Buss purchased the property in Jan 1994 for $280,000 and custom built the home to mirror the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort in Montecito, media materials for the property said.

“Buss wanted a home close enough to LA but an escape for his team,” listing agent Khaki Wennstrom said in a news release. “The driveway was built to allow for the extra stretch limos that once brought in legends like Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and more. Andre Agassi even played on their championship tennis court.”

Buss was one of the geniuses behind the “Showtime Era” of the Lakers, who combined entertainment with run-and-gun basketball (which highlighted the brilliant styles of superstars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson) and helped take the NBA to new heights. The HBO series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers” was based around Buss’ run during the 1980s, when the team won five NBA championships. (The show was canceled after two seasons.)

Buss died in 2013.

Currently, his daughter, Jeanie Buss,is the controlling owner and president of the Lakers.

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