Boston Celtics Sold for Record-Breaking $6.1 Billion
The Boston Celtics have been sold for an unprecedented $6.1 billion, setting a new record for the most expensive sports franchise sale in North American history.
A group of investors led by billionaire private equity executive William Chisholm is acquiring the storied NBA team. The group also includes Rob Hale, a current Celtics investor, and Bruce Beal Jr., president of real estate firm Related Companies.
Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck praised Chisholm’s deep ties to the team and the city. “Bill is a terrific person and a true Celtics fan, born and raised here in the Boston area,” Grousbeck said in a statement on Thursday. “His love for the team and the city of Boston, along with his chemistry with the rest of the Celtics leadership, make him a natural choice to be the next Governor and controlling owner of the team.”
The Grousbeck family originally purchased the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million, meaning the franchise’s value has soared by nearly 1,600% in just over two decades. Despite the sale, Grousbeck will remain the team’s governor through the 2027-28 NBA season.
Chisholm, co-founder and managing partner of the California-based private equity firm Symphony Technology Group, expressed his lifelong passion for the Celtics. “Growing up on the North Shore and attending college in New England, I have been a die-hard Celtics fan my entire life,” he said. “I understand how important the Celtics are to the city of Boston – the role the team plays in the community is different than any other city in the country.”
This deal surpasses previous major franchise sales, including the Washington Commanders’ $6.05 billion sale in 2023 and the Phoenix Suns’ $4 billion purchase the same year, making it the largest sale in NBA and U.S. professional sports history.
