Jeanie Buss has been at the center of the NBA world for decades, but now, she’s stepping into a new arena—television.
Netflix’s Running Point, starring Kate Hudson, is a fictional comedy about a woman running a floundering basketball franchise. But make no mistake: The story is deeply inspired by Jeanie’s real-life experiences as the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
So, how much of Running Point is based on Jeanie’s life? And what role did the HBO series Winning Time play in bringing this new show to life?
Is Running Point based on Jeanie Buss’ life?
While Running Point isn’t an official biopic, it’s clear that Kate Hudson’s character, Isla Gordon, shares striking similarities with Jeanie. Both women inherit control of a struggling NBA franchise. Both face backlash from their male-dominated industry. And both fight to prove their worth while navigating complicated family dynamics.
Jeanie, who serves as an executive producer on the show, acknowledges the inspiration. “While we inspired so much of the story, these characters are not my family, and Isla Gordon is not me,” she told TIME. However, longtime Lakers fans will recognize plenty of familiar struggles woven into Isla’s journey.
How did Winning Time influence Running Point?
In 2022, HBO’s Winning Time dramatized the rise of the Lakers dynasty under Jeanie’s father, Dr. Jerry Buss. While the show received critical acclaim, Jeanie found it frustrating that she wasn’t involved in telling her own story.
This frustration pushed her to develop her own project. She teamed up with The Office alum Mindy Kaling, writer David Stassen, and actor-writer Ike Barinholtz to craft a show that reflected the unique challenges of being a female owner in the NBA. Unlike Winning Time, Running Point leans into comedy, but it still captures the high stakes of professional basketball.
How does Running Point reflect Jeanie Buss’ family drama?
One of the most dramatic aspects of Jeanie’s real-life story is her battle with her brothers over control of the Lakers. When Dr. Jerry Buss passed away in 2013, he left Jeanie in charge, but her brother Jim ran basketball operations—and the two often clashed over the team’s future. Eventually, Jeanie removed Jim from his role, leading to a bitter power struggle that nearly saw her ousted from the organization.
Running Point fictionalizes this conflict. Isla’s brothers attempt to undermine her leadership, calling for a vote of no confidence to push her out—similar to the real-life boardroom drama Jeanie faced.
Beyond family conflicts, Running Point also highlights Isla’s struggles with sexism in the NBA, a direct reflection of Jeanie’s own experiences. From dismissive male executives to tabloid scrutiny, Isla’s obstacles mirror those Jeanie has faced throughout her career.
Jeanie has spoken openly about how she was underestimated due to her gender—and even judged for posing for Playboy in 1995. “I finally realized that no matter what, I couldn’t please other people,” Jeanie said in a recent interview. “For whatever reason, they may not want to like me, and there wasn’t anything I could do to change their opinion.”
How did Kate Hudson get cast as Isla Gordon?
Jeanie Buss and Kate Hudson go way back—long before Running Point. In the 1990s, Jeanie gave a teenage Kate a behind-the-scenes tour of the Lakers’ arena while her parents, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, attended Kings games.
Years later, Jeanie knew Kate would be perfect for Isla Gordon, thanks to her natural charisma and understanding of the sports world. “She nailed it,” Jeanie said. “I knew she would understand the backstage of it all and what goes on with a sports team because she understands sports.”
“I was happy that she approved me playing a loosely based version of her, the comedic version of her life,” Kate told The Hollywood Reporter, applauding the exec for having “such a great sense of humor. She really gave us all this license to have fun.”
