Reigning NBA champions, Boston Celtics, have reached an agreement to be acquired in a record multi-billion dollar deal by a group led by Bill Chisholm, the managing partner of Symphony Technology Group.
The group is set to take over the Eastern Conference franchise in a $6.1 billion deal, a figure that stands as the most paid for a sports team in North America, beating the $6.05 billion paid to acquire NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023.
It also makes the Celtics the NBA franchise with the highest valuation, well ahead of the $4 billion paid by Mat Ishbia to acquire a controlling stake of the Phoenix Suns back in 2023.
“This process to buy the team started just under 50 years ago when I had my seventh birthday and attended a game at the old Boston Garden,” Chisholm told ESPN’s Shams Charania. “I was hooked ever since. I’ve been a rabid fan ever since. I bleed green. I love the Celtics.”
Chisholm added, “When this opportunity came up, I couldn’t pass it up. Wyc [Grousbeck] has done an incredible job running this franchise. So why would you mess that up?
“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 and that’s all goodness that we want to continue.”