In a historic move for American professional sports, the NBA Board of Governors on Wednesday unanimously approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to a consortium led by private equity executive Bill Chisholm. The landmark deal values the iconic franchise at more than $6.1 billion, making it the largest sale price ever for a U.S. sports team.
The transaction, which is expected to be finalized shortly, gives Chisholm immediate control of at least 51% ownership in the team. Full ownership is scheduled to transition by 2028, with total payments potentially pushing the franchise’s value to $7.3 billion.
This surpasses the previous U.S. sports franchise record set in 2023 when the NFL’s Washington Commanders were sold for $6.05 billion. The Celtics’ new valuation also dwarfs the previous NBA record of $4 billion, paid by Mat Ishbia for the Phoenix Suns the same year.
Chisholm, a Massachusetts native, is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Wharton School of Business. He is the managing partner of Symphony Technology Group, a California-based private equity firm. Joining him in the new ownership group are Rob Hale, a Boston-based businessman and existing Celtics shareholder, and Bruce Beal Jr., also a Boston business figure.
The Celtics have been under the stewardship of Wyc Grousbeck since 2002, when his group purchased the team for $360 million. Under Grousbeck’s leadership, the franchise won two championships — in 2008 and most recently in 2024, boosting its record total to 18 NBA titles.
Chisholm’s group reportedly outbid at least two other parties, including a bid led by Steve Pagliuca, a former minority stakeholder in the Celtics. Pagliuca, meanwhile, has shifted focus to the WNBA, announcing plans to purchase the Connecticut Sun for $325 million and potentially relocate the team to Boston. That deal, however, still awaits approval from the WNBA Board of Governors.
The Celtics, one of the most storied franchises in sports history, now move into a new era of leadership, buoyed by their most recent championship. As the franchise changes hands at a record valuation, expectations will remain high for sustained excellence, both on and off the court.
