Boston Celtics: NBA champions sold to US businessman William Chisholm for record $6.1bn

A team led by American businessman William Chisholm has reached an agreement to acquire the iconic Boston Celtics basketball team for a record $6.1 billion (approximately £4.7 billion). This transaction amount will break the record for the highest value of a North American sports franchise, surpassing the $6 billion acquisition price of the NFL's Washington Commanders in 2023 (approximately £4.8 billion at the exchange rate at that time).

This acquisition also exceeds the $4 billion (approximately £3.3 billion) sale price of another NBA team, the Phoenix Suns, in 2022. The commercial value of the Celtics, as a historically strong team, has been fully reflected.

Last year, Forbes ranked the Celtics, owned by the Grousbeck family and partner Steve Pagliuca, as the fourth most valuable team in the NBA, valued at $6 billion (approximately £4.6 billion), while the Golden State Warriors topped the list with an estimated $8.8 billion (approximately £6.7 billion). Chisholm himself is also a loyal fan of the Celtics.

Chisholm, the co-founder and managing partner of California-based private equity firm Symphony Technology Group, is from the Boston area and has been a lifelong Celtics fan. The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks last year to win a record-breaking 18th NBA championship. He stated, "Growing up on the North Shore and attending college in New England, I have been a die-hard Celtics fan my entire life."

Chisholm added, "I understand the importance of the Celtics to the city of Boston—the team plays a role in the community unlike any other city in America. I also understand that as the leader of this organization, I have a responsibility to the people of Boston, and I am ready to meet that challenge." This demonstrates his confidence and sense of responsibility for the team's future development.

Wyc Grousbeck and the current ownership group acquired the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million (approximately £277 million). Grousbeck is expected to continue as CEO and governor until the end of the 2027-28 season, after which Chisholm will take over the team's operations. This also ensures a smooth transition in team management.