The Lakers’ current struggles have kept Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss "fairly busy in ensuring the business stays strong," according to Mark Medina of the L.A. DAILY NEWS. Buss: "I’ve been assured by our basketball operations that the team will be back in contention soon. If we are not meeting those goals, then changes have to occur." Forbes recently valued the Lakers at $2.6B and reported last year they made an NBA-record $104M in operating income, "partly because of the team’s cable deal" with TWC SportsNet, worth $5B through 25 years. But Lakers’ games on the RSN this season have averaged a 1.85 local rating, down from games in '13-14 (2.11) and '12-13 (4.63). The Lakers also "snapped a 320-game home sell-out streak, dating back" to the '06-07 season. Last season, the Lakers also "failed to sell out in nine of their 41 home games at Staples Center." The team "did not sell out in two of their 29 home games thus far" this season. Buss called those numbers "upsetting" and added she feels "anxious to reverse that trend." But she "declined to discuss whether the Lakers would consider lowering ticket prices." Buss also noted that the Lakers "did not raise ticket prices last season." She also highlighted another thing that would "still make the Lakers a box office draw." She said the club is “talking about a bunch of different things” to honor G Kobe Bryant in his 20th season with the Lakers at home games next season. Buss promised “we will make it special.” Meanwhile, Medina notes the Lakers will build a modern practice facility "at some point elsewhere in El Segundo, which will provide more room to run their day-to-day operations" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/6).
