The NBA has unanimously approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to a consortium led by private equity executive Bill Chisholm, in a landmark deal valuing the franchise at more than $6.1 billion — the highest price ever for an American professional sports team. The transaction is expected to close soon, with Chisholm set to acquire at least 51% of the team initially and assume full ownership by 2028, potentially pushing the total valuation to $7.3 billion.
This surpasses the previous U.S. sports record of $6.05 billion for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023 and eclipses the NBA’s prior record of $4 billion for the Phoenix Suns, also in 2023. Chisholm, a Massachusetts native and managing partner of California-based Symphony Technology Group, is joined in the ownership group by Boston businessmen Rob Hale, a current Celtics shareholder, and Bruce Beal Jr.
The outgoing ownership group, led by Wyc Grousbeck, acquired the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million and oversaw championships in 2008 and 2024. The franchise remains the NBA’s most decorated with 18 titles. Chisholm’s bid prevailed over multiple contenders, including a group led by former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, who has since turned his focus to acquiring the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun for $325 million and relocating them to Boston — a proposal currently facing resistance from the women’s league.
Source: ABC News
