From his simple and humble childhood to fame and fortune in Los Angeles, Jerry Buss was a pioneer in sports team ownership. Here are four qualities that stood out and contributed to his success.

Vision

“His vision was second to none,” Jerry West said in a statement. “He wanted an N.B.A. franchise brand that represented the very best and went to every extreme to accomplish his goals.” Buss was among the first to recognize that basketball is a production, that sports can be glamorous and that nothing sells like star power.

Innovative

He introduced groundbreaking ideas to the NBA. The Laker girls, courtside seats, the Forum Club, corporate sponsorship of the Forum, and Magic Johnson’s unprecedented 25 year, $25 million contract. He was a savvy investor and made decisions with the end goal in mind.

Assembled a great team

Buss always said with pride that he knew what he didn’t know. He knew real estate, he knew economics and he knew how to sell a product, but he didn’t know basketball, not at a higher level than that of the average fan. Buss paid to acquire the best players, rarely thinking about his profit margin. Jerry Buss hired the best basketball minds — Jerry West, Pat Riley, Phil Jackson — and got out of their way.

Treated everyone with dignity and respect

Because of his humble beginnings, he respected all with the same genuine interest and respect. “He was always genuine and approachable” - William Van Noll, L.A. Times.

Good Bye Jerry. Thank you for all that you have done for professional basketball.