A long-time poker player who appeared on televised poker shows like High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark, Buss was also a regular at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
Originally reported by TMZ, the idea of honoring Jerry Buss with a memorial event was confirmed by WSOP Communications Director Seth Palansky.
“Buss has played at the WSOP for 25 years,” Palansky told PokerListings.com.
“At the right time we'd like to reach out to his family and see if they support an idea of renaming one of our championship events after him and awarding the victor a perpetual trophy in Dr. Buss' honor."
But while the WSOP is interested in pursuing the idea, it's not something that's going to happen overnight.
“There's no time-frame for this though,” said Palansky. “It's an idea and we'll see if it can be executed.”
Buss, who owned the Los Angeles Lakers since 1979, passed away at the age of 80 after an extended battle with cancer.
The World Series of Poker released this official statement:
We're sad to hear about the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss. A class act whose kindness and intelligence always stood out at the poker table. Jerry epitomizes what makes the game of poker so great.
Everyone is on equal footing when you enter a poker tournament. And Jerry Buss acted and carried himself as a dignified gentleman throughout. There is no doubt he was competitive and liked to win, but to anyone who had the pleasure of interacting with him at the World Series of Poker, you left better for the experience and rooting for him and his Lakers.
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