Wyc Grousbeck and Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C. have agreed to sell the Boston Celtics, in principle, for $6.1 billion - the largest price ever for a North American professional sports team. The Celtics have agreed to be sold to a consortium led by private equity investor William “Bill” Chisholm.


 

The current ownership group led by Wyc Grousbeck, purchased the team in 2002 for $360 million. Grousbeck says that he will continue to serve as the team's CEO and Governor through the 2027-2028 season to ensure a smooth transition. The sale is pending approval from the NBA Board of Governors. The Celtics are projected to pay around $500 million for their payroll next season, with $230 million coming from player salaries and the remaining $270 million from tax penalties. Sixth Street, a leading global investment firm, is contributing $1.2 billion—the maximum 20% stake the NBA permits for institutional investors (who also cannot own more than the person that's the controlling owner of the team which has to own at least 15%). They will have a high interest in ensuring that the Celtics remain a profitable franchise.



New Boston Celtics owner Bill Chisholm tells ESPN: "The team is in a great place right now, and I'm very sensitive to that. Wyc, Brad (Stevens) and Joe (Mazzulla) have done amazing jobs... My approach is to win and raise banners. That's in the near term and the long term."
 

Other prominent Boston business figures, Rob Hale and Bruce A. Beal Jr., complete the incoming ownership group assembled by Chisholm. The sale is expected to be finalized by summer 2025, with the transaction structured in two phases (an initial 51% stake transfer this year and the remaining shares by 2028). This unprecedented deal sets a new benchmark for the league, signaling a continued surge in the valuation of premier sports franchises and likely influencing future team sales and even potential expansion fees in the NBA.



 

Overall, the landmark Celtics sale underscores the NBA’s strong global appeal, reflecting the league's escalating franchise valuations and its attractiveness to high-profile investors worldwide.