Jerry Buss reportedly in hospital, dying of cancer

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss has been hospitalized with cancer and is near death, Radar Online reports.

Radar Online says Buss, 79, is at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with friends and family at his bedside. They say Lakers players have been stopping by and calling to give him their best wishes.

The Los Angeles Times adds that Buss has been in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Buss has not attended a Lakers game the entire season because of his declining health. The Orange County Register says Buss was hospitalized most of the past year.

Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979 and the team has won 10 championships since then. He has ceded control of the franchise to his children. His son, Jim, has been active in building the roster and team while his daughter, Jeanie, has been running the business side. Jim and Jeanie reportedly went through a period of not speaking after the team passed over Phil Jackson, her fiancee, in favor of Mike D’Antoni as head coach.