Boston Celtics sold for record-breaking $6.1 B to tech billionaire William Chisholm; all you need to know

The Boston Celtics have been sold to private equity investor William Chisholm for $6.1 billion. This will be the most expensive NBA team sale in history.

A group headed by William Chisholm, with support from the private equity fund Sixth Street, has finalised an agreement to purchase the Boston Celtics. Bruce Beal Jr., president of New York-based Related Companies and Quincy businessman Rob Hale are also part of the new ownership team.

The Boston Celtics deal

H. Irving Grousbeck and his son Wyc Grousbeck, the main owners of the Boston Celtics, informed their partners that they were selling the team to William Chisholm.


Shortly after the team won the 2024 NBA championship, Grousbeck announced his intention to sell the iconic franchise "for estate and family planning considerations."

Following months of speculation and interest from various potential buyers, a deal to sell the team has now been reached. Grousbeck had purchased the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million. The family will sell 51 per cent of their stake now and the remaining in 2028, USA Today reported.

Wyc Grousbeck called Chisholm "a true Celtics fan" and a "natural choice", commending his abilities to be the next owner of the franchise.

"I know [Chisholm] appreciates the importance of the Celtics and burns with a passion to win on the court while being totally committed to the community," Grousbeck said. "Quite simply, he wants to be a great owner."

Also Read : March Madness: Will Wade to 'coach' this new school after 2025 NCAA Tournament ends

Who is William Chisholm?

William Chisholm is the co-founder and managing partner of private equity firm Symphony Technology Group. He previously worked for Bain & Company. A native of Georgetown, Massachusetts, Chisholm is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Chisholm, who is primarily known for his work in the tech industry, is making a significant and high-profile entry into the world of professional sports with his acquisition of the Boston Celtics.

"The managing board of the ownership group expects to sell a majority interest in 2024 or early 2025, with the balance closing in 2028, and expects Wyc Grousbeck to remain as the Governor of the team until the second closing in 2028," the Celtics said in a news release at the time.

Largest sale of a North American sports team in history

Going for $6.1 billion, the Boston Celtics deal is now the largest sale of a North American Sports team in history. The previous record was $6.05 billion for the Washington Commanders in the NFL.

Notable partners involved in the Washington Commanders deal included Magic Johnson, a legendary figure from the LA Lakers, and Josh Harris, who is also the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Also Read : Warner Bros. drops first teaser for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another starring Leonardo DiCaprio

Most expensive North American sports team sales

• $6.1 billion: Boston Celtics (2025)
  
  
• $6.05 billion: Washington Commanders (2023)
  
• $4.65 billion: Denver Broncos (2023)
  
• $4 billion: Phoenix Suns (2023)
  
• $3.5 billion: Milwaukee Bucks (2023)
  
• $2.4 billion: New York Mets (2020)
  
• $2.4 billion: Brooklyn Nets (2019)
  
• $2.2 billion: Carolina Panthers (2018)
  
• $2.2 billion: Houston Rockets (2017)
  
• $2 billion: Los Angeles Dodgers (2012)
  

FAQs:

Who is William Chisholm?
Chisholm is co-founder and managing partner at Symphony technology Group, a private equity firm based out of California.


Why is the $6.1 billion sale of the Boston Celtics important?
The $6.1 billion sale of the Boston Celtics is now the largest in North American sports history, surpassing the previous record of $6.05 billion paid for the Washington Commanders in 2023.