Private equity mogul to acquire NBA's Celtics for $6.1 billion

Boston Celtics sold for $6.1 billion to private equity mogul Chisholm

Robert Besser
24 Mar 2025, 16:34 GMT+10

Private equity mogul to acquire NBA's Celtics for $6.1 billion

Private equity investor William Chisholm has agreed to buy the Boston Celtics in a record-breaking deal worth at least US$6.1 billion, the highest price ever for a U.S. sports team
The sale must be approved by the NBA’s board of governors, which could happen this summer
If finalized, it would surpass the $6.05 billion paid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023

BOSTON, Massachusetts: Private equity investor William Chisholm has agreed to buy the Boston Celtics in a record-breaking deal worth at least US$6.1 billion, the highest price ever for a U.S. sports team.

The sale must be approved by the NBA's board of governors, which could happen this summer. If finalized, it would surpass the $6.05 billion paid for the NFL's Washington Commanders in 2023.

Chisholm, a Massachusetts native and lifelong Celtics fan, leads Symphony Technology Group in California. His ownership group includes Boston businessmen Rob Hale and Bruce Beal Jr.

Wyc Grousbeck, who led the group that bought the Celtics for $360 million in 2002, will stay on as CEO for three more years at Chisholm's request. Grousbeck praised Chisholm as a passionate Celtics fan and a strong leader committed to winning and supporting the Boston community.

The deal will happen in two stages: Chisholm will initially acquire at least 51 percent of the team, with the remaining shares available for purchase by 2028 at a potentially higher price. This could value the team at $7.3 billion.

Chisholm outbid other buyers, including Celtics minority partner Steve Pagliuca, who expressed disappointment but said he remains ready if the deal falls through.

The Celtics, one of the NBA's most successful franchises, won their record 18th championship in 2023 and are contenders again this season, led by stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Chisholm said he looks forward to building on the team's success and bringing more titles to Boston.