Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson Will Be Co-Grand Marshals of Annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade

The following press release is from the Department of Beaches and Harbors:

Organizers of the 51st Annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade recently announced their choice of Co-Grand Marshals – Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson – who will be aboard the motor vessel ‘Pastabilities’ during the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade on December 14 from 6-8 pm with a fireworks show starting at 5:55 pm.

“Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson are the ideal candidates for this event with this year’s theme being ‘Holiday Magic.’  Their long-time association with the Los Angeles Lakers will definitely showcase the Marina for crowds attending this unique Southern California event and we are thrilled to be a partner with them” said Cindy Williams, President, Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade.

Entering her first season as President after 14 seasons as Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Jeanie Buss is now responsible for running all aspects of the Los Angeles Lakers organization. Buss, who will continue to lead all Lakers business operations, which include managing team marketing and sponsorships as well as relationships with broadcast partners, will also oversee the team’s basketball operations, working closely with Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jim Buss and General Manager Mitch Kupchak.  In addition to her role as team President, Buss also serves as the Lakers’ Governor, representing the team on the NBA’s Board of Governors.

Named by the Sporting News in April 2005 as one of the Top 20 Most Influential Women in Sports, Buss serves as a board member on the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games working to bring the Olympics back to Los Angeles. She also is a co-host of Lakers All Access, a yearly event presented by the LA Sports and Entertainment Commission, a nonprofit organization which attracts events and attractions to Los Angeles.

Actively involved in the community, Buss lists Canine Companions for Independence, The Amanda Foundation and the Best Buddies organization among her many charitable endeavors while also working internally with the Lakers Youth Foundation to raise money for Southern California Youth charities.

Buss graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in business. She currently resides in Manhattan Beach and is engaged to Hall-of-Fame and former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson.

In 11 seasons as Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson’s results after coming west were nothing short of amazing.  In his first three seasons, Jackson led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Championships (2000-02) for the first time in franchise history (Los Angeles era).  First with the Chicago Bulls (1991-1993 and 1996-98) and then with Los Angeles (2000-02, 2009-10), Jackson won an NBA Championship (11 times) more than half of the time he spent as a head coach (20 years) and visited the NBA Finals (13 times) even more often.  In 20 seasons as an NBA head coach, Jackson posted a mark of 1,155-485 (.704), which is the best winning percentage of any coach in NBA annals.  The fastest coach in NBA history to 1,000 career victories, his total of 1,155 regular season wins ranks him 5th all-time.

His postseason resume is even more impressive.  Jackson led the Lakers to five NBA Championships, seven Western Conference Titles and a 118-63 mark in the playoffs including the team’s 15-1 (.938) run during the 2001 NBA playoffs, which is the highest winning percentage for any club in a single postseason in league history.  With a career postseason record of 229-104 (.688), Jackson has the highest playoff winning percentage of any coach in NBA history while his 229 wins are also the postseason benchmark for head coaches.  With his 11th NBA Championship as a head coach in 2010, Jackson moved further past Red Auerbach (9) for the most titles won by a head coach in NBA history.

Engaged to Lakers President Jeanie Buss, Jackson currently resides in Playa del Rey and spends his summers in Montana.  He is a father of five grown children (Ben, Charley, Brooke, Chelsea and Elizabeth) and a grandfather of eight grandchildren.

For Boat Parade information or to download a Boat Parade entry form visit mdrboatparade.org