The Boston Celtics, one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, are officially entering a new era. On August 13, 2025, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Celtics to an investment group led by Massachusetts native Bill Chisholm. This blockbuster deal, valued at $6.1 billion, is the largest ever for an American professional sports team and marks a pivotal moment in both NBA and sports business history.
The transaction, expected to close by the end of the week, will see Chisholm immediately assume the role of lead governor, taking over from longtime owner Wyc Grousbeck. Chisholm’s group is initially purchasing a 51% stake from the Grousbeck family, with the remaining shares set to be acquired by 2028. By then, the total franchise valuation could reach an eye-popping $7.3 billion, according to league sources and The Associated Press.
Chisholm, a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, is the co-founder, managing partner, and chief investment officer of Symphony Technology Group (STG Partners), a private equity firm based in Menlo Park, California. His deep Massachusetts roots and business acumen made him a compelling candidate to steer the legendary franchise forward. The new ownership group also includes prominent figures such as Aditya Mittal—son of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal and the second-largest stakeholder—private equity firm Sixth Street, Boston businessmen Rob Hale (a current Celtics shareholder) and Bruce A. Beal Jr., as well as investment firm Sixth Street, which also owns a stake in the San Antonio Spurs.
Wyc Grousbeck, who led the group that bought the Celtics for $360 million in 2002, will transition into the role of alternate governor and remain as the team’s CEO through the 2027-28 season. Originally, Grousbeck planned to stay on as lead governor until the end of the decade, but recent NBA ownership rule changes prompted a swifter transition. Despite the change, Celtics Insider Chris Forsberg remarked, “I think that Bill Chisholm is going to enjoy having Wyc here to help steward the franchise forward in this transition process, but Bill, after paying $6.1 billion, is understandably going to sit in the lead chair.”
The Celtics’ sale shatters previous records. Before this deal, the highest price paid for a U.S. sports franchise was the $6.05 billion for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023. The NBA’s previous record was the $4 billion acquisition of the Phoenix Suns by Mat Ishbia in 2023. While Mark Walter’s agreement to buy a controlling share of the Los Angeles Lakers at a $10 billion valuation has since eclipsed the Celtics’ mark, the Boston sale remains the most expensive finalized transaction in U.S. sports history as of this week.
The Celtics’ legacy is as rich as their balance sheet. Under Grousbeck’s stewardship, Boston captured its 17th NBA championship in 2008 and then its record-breaking 18th title in 2024. The franchise also made NBA Finals appearances in 2010 and 2022, cementing its place among the elite. With 18 NBA titles, the Celtics are tied for the league record and sit third among all North American professional teams, trailing only the New York Yankees (27 World Series titles) and the Montreal Canadiens (24 Stanley Cups).
Chisholm’s acquisition was not without competition. He outbid at least two other groups, including one led by former Celtics minority partner Steve Pagliuca. Pagliuca has since shifted his focus to women’s basketball, announcing plans to purchase the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun for $325 million and relocate the team to Boston—a deal that remains subject to WNBA approval.
The ownership transition comes at a time of significant change for the Celtics on and off the court. The summer of 2025 has already seen the team lose four rotation players through trades and free agency. Most notably, All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, casting doubt over his availability for the upcoming season. The team also traded away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday—key contributors to the 2024 championship run—to help the Celtics dip under the second apron of the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement. This move will save Boston an estimated $180 million in luxury tax penalties for the 2025-26 season, as reported by ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Financially, the Celtics’ deal reflects the rapidly escalating valuations across the NBA landscape. The league has seen a flurry of high-profile sales in recent years, including Tom Dundon’s group agreeing to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers at a $4.25 billion valuation. Private equity investment has become increasingly prevalent, with NBA rules capping any single firm’s stake at 20%. Sixth Street’s involvement with both the Celtics and Spurs demonstrates this trend, as institutional money continues to reshape the ownership structures of major franchises.
From a business perspective, the Celtics’ sale was orchestrated with the help of top-tier advisors. Goldman Sachs served as the financial advisor for the Chisholm group, while BDT & MSD and JPMorgan Chase co-led the sale process for the Celtics. Jordan Park acted as an advisor to the Grousbeck family, ensuring a seamless transition for one of basketball’s crown jewels.
So, what’s next for Boston? With Chisholm at the helm, the Celtics are poised to navigate a new era marked by both opportunity and challenge. The immediate focus will be on guiding the team through a roster overhaul and supporting Tatum’s rehabilitation. The franchise’s ability to remain under the luxury tax threshold could provide much-needed flexibility as the front office looks to retool the roster without sacrificing competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the Celtics’ place in NBA history remains secure. Their passionate fan base, storied legacy, and now record-setting valuation ensure that all eyes will be on Boston as the Chisholm era begins. The city’s basketball faithful will be eager to see whether the new ownership group can build on the foundation laid by Grousbeck and deliver banner No. 19 to the rafters of TD Garden.
As the ink dries on this monumental sale, one thing is clear: The Boston Celtics are not just a basketball team—they’re a global brand, a business powerhouse, and a symbol of excellence in the world of sports. The next chapter starts now, with Bill Chisholm holding the keys to the kingdom and a city hungry for even more glory.
