Celtics Sold: Bill Chisholm Seals $6 Billion Purchase of Iconic Franchise
For Bill Chisholm, the dream began on his seventh birthday. A trip to the old Boston Garden, the sounds of sneakers on hardwood, the electric buzz of the crowd, the voice of Johnny Most echoing in the background. That day, something clicked. The Celtics weren’t just a team — they became a lifelong obsession.
Fast forward nearly 50 years, and that childhood dream has come full circle.
Chisholm, the managing partner at Symphony Technology Group, has officially agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics — yes, that Boston Celtics — for a jaw-dropping $6.1 billion. According to ESPN, it’s the most ever paid for a North American sports franchise. The previous record? The Washington Commanders, who sold for $6.05 billion in 2023.
“This has been emotional for me,” Chisholm admitted. “It’s more than just a business deal. It’s a family moment. A life moment. It’s a dream come true.”
From Wyc to Bill: Passing the Torch in Boston
For more than two decades, the Celtics have been under the steady hand of Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca. Their group, Boston Basketball Partners LLC, bought the team back in 2002 for $360 million — a figure that feels like ancient history now.
Under their watch, Boston won a championship in 2008, reached multiple Eastern Conference Finals, and most recently captured their record-breaking 18th title in 2024, moving past the rival Lakers. It seemed like nothing could shake the foundation — until they shocked the NBA world by announcing they were selling the team shortly after that championship run.
But this isn’t a hard exit. In fact, Chisholm asked Grousbeck to stay on as CEO and team governor through 2028, and Grousbeck happily accepted.
“We wanted to find someone with the resources, but also the heart, to lead this team,” Grousbeck said. “Bill checks every box. He’s not just a billionaire — he’s a fan. That matters here.”
The sale will happen in two parts. Chisholm will take control of at least 51% of the team once the NBA’s board of governors approves the deal, possibly as soon as this summer. The remaining stake will stay with the current ownership group until 2028, when it will be sold at a higher price based on how the league grows financially.
The New Ownership Team: Local Roots, Big Vision
Bill Chisholm isn’t taking this on alone. He’s joined by two other names with strong ties to Boston: Rob Hale, who already owns a small part of the Celtics, and Bruce Beal Jr., a prominent business figure in the area. It’s clear this isn’t just a wealthy group swooping in from out of town — it’s a crew that understands the city, its sports culture, and its people.
What stands out most about Chisholm, though, isn’t his net worth — it’s his passion. He’s already met multiple times with team president Brad Stevens to talk about the direction of the franchise, not just for this season, but five, even ten years down the road.
“My whole thing is simple,” Chisholm said. “I want to win. I want to raise banners. That’s the vision.”
He said he and his family recently had dinner together and played old Celtics clips from Johnny Most’s broadcasts — the iconic voice that narrated Chisholm’s youth. That, he said, brought everything home.
“I had to pinch myself. To go from being a kid in the stands to the guy who owns the team? It’s surreal.”
Source: Sources: Bill Chisholm agrees to buy Celtics for $6.1 billion
Big Money, Bigger Challenges
Of course, owning a team isn’t just about celebrating titles and watching games from courtside seats. It comes with massive financial decisions — and for the Celtics, the road ahead won’t be easy.
Next season, Boston is expected to set a record of its own: becoming the first team in NBA history to spend over $500 million between player salaries and luxury tax penalties. That’s thanks in large part to Jayson Tatum’s upcoming supermax contract and the league’s stricter rules under the new collective bargaining agreement.
Translation? Keeping this championship roster together is going to be very, very expensive.
“You’ve got to be both smart and lucky now,” Grousbeck said. “And luckily, we’ve got Brad Stevens. In my opinion, he’s executive of the year.”
Chisholm understands what he’s walking into. He said he’s committed to keeping the Celtics competitive in the short term — and sustainable in the long term. But the reality is, something will have to give. Whether that means trading key players, restructuring deals, or finding creative financial workarounds, big decisions are coming.
In the meantime, though, Boston remains focused on the present. The team is dominating the East and could be poised to go back-to-back — something no team has done since the Warriors in 2018.
What This Sale Means for the League (and What Comes Next)
Beyond Boston, this sale sends shockwaves through the entire NBA. The $6.1 billion price tag sets a new bar for franchise valuations, and league insiders say it could finally unlock the next big milestone: expansion.
Commissioner Adam Silver has been open about wanting to bring the NBA to more cities — especially places like Seattle and Las Vegas — but insisted the league wouldn’t move forward until Boston’s ownership situation was settled.
Now, with clarity in place and the price tag higher than anyone expected, sources say those expansion talks could ramp up fast.
Meanwhile, Steve Pagliuca, who co-led the Celtics alongside Grousbeck for the past 22 years, revealed that he tried to buy out the team himself but wasn’t chosen. He posted a gracious statement on social media, saying he was “saddened” but wished Chisholm well. According to Charania, Pagliuca and Grousbeck exchanged warm texts afterward — proof that, even in big business, there’s still room for mutual respect.
A Personal Ending to a Historic Sale
As the dust settles on one of the biggest sports transactions of all time, it’s hard not to feel the emotion behind it all.
Bill Chisholm isn’t just the guy writing the biggest check — he’s a fan first. And that’s probably why this story resonates with so many.
He’s not coming in with plans to overhaul everything. He’s not here to put his fingerprints all over the franchise. He just wants to win, and to do it the Celtics way — with heart, grit, and pride in the parquet floor beneath their feet.
“This team means something to people,” Chisholm said. “It’s more than basketball. It’s Boston. It’s history. It’s family.”
If that’s the mindset driving the next chapter, then the Celtics’ future is in very good hands.
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