Boston Celtics sold for a record-breaking $6 billion

  • CNN
  • March 20, 2025
New York

CNN

 — 

The Boston Celtics, one of the most successful NBA teams in history, has sold for $6.1 billion, marking the largest sale of a sports franchise in North America.

An investor group led by William Chisholm, a billionaire who amassed much of his wealth from private equity, is buying the Celtics. The group also includes includes Rob Hale, a current Celtics investor, and Bruce Beal Jr., president of real estate giant Related Companies.

"Bill is a terrific person and a true Celtics fan, born and raised here in the Boston area," Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck said in a statement 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 bought the Celtics, who have won 18 championships in their history, in 2002 for $360 million, representing a nearly 1,600% gain in value. Wyc will remain the team's governor through the 2027-28 season.

Chisholm co-founded and is the managing partner of Symphony Technology Group, a California-based private equity firm that invests in tech.

"Growing up on the North Shore and attending college in New England, I have been a die-hard Celtics fan my entire life," Chisholm said in a release. "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."

The Celtics deal is the largest in the NBA and is a US major league sports record, bypassing the $6.05 billion deal for NFL team Washington Commanders in 2023 and the $4 billion purchase of NBA team Phoenix Suns in 2023.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/20/business/boston-celtics-sold-bill-chisholm/index.html