The Boston Celtics’ ownership group agreed to sell a majority stake to an investor group led by William Chisholm at an initial valuation of at least $6.1 billion. The NBA approved the deal on August 13, 2025, and it closed on August 19. A separately reported figure of $7.3 billion was a possible value for the staged transaction if the later share transfer reached its reported terms—not the initial price or an amount already paid.
Who bought the Boston Celtics?
The buyer was an investor group led by William Chisholm, not Chisholm acting alone. The Celtics announced that the group acquired a majority control position when the transaction closed on August 19, 2025. The NBA’s approval announcement likewise identified Chisholm as leader of the group acquiring controlling interests.
The Associated Press described Chisholm as a Massachusetts native, a Dartmouth and Wharton graduate, and managing partner of California-based Symphony Technology Group. It named Boston businessmen Rob Hale, already a Celtics shareholder, and Bruce Beal Jr. as members of the group in its March 20 agreement report. A later NBA.com/AP report named additional investors: Aditya Mittal, Andrew Bialecki, Dom Ferrante, Mario Ho, and Ian Loring, and described Sixth Street as a major participant. AP’s March 20, 2025 report and the post-closing NBA.com/AP report reflect different points in the transaction; the later roster should not be mistaken for the list in the initial agreement announcement.
Chisholm’s stated connection to the team was personal: AP quoted him describing himself as a lifelong Celtics fan who grew up on the North Shore and attended college in New England. He also spoke of the team’s importance to Boston and the responsibility of leading it. The published explanation does not establish a separate financial motive or promise about future team spending.
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What does the $6.1 billion figure mean?
AP reported an initial valuation of at least $6.1 billion for the transaction. Under the reported terms, Chisholm’s group would acquire at least 51% at the first stage, while existing owners could retain the remaining shares until a later transfer expected in 2028. The later shares were to be priced using a formula tied to league revenue growth, with the price potentially up to 20% higher. AP said that structure could value the full transaction at $7.3 billion.
So the figures refer to different things: $6.1 billion was the minimum initial valuation reported when the agreement was announced; $7.3 billion was a possible value for the full, staged transfer under the reported later-share formula. It is inaccurate to describe $7.3 billion as the initial price or as money already paid. The reporting describes valuations and terms, not a final accounting of every payment.
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How the figures compare
| Figure | What it represents | Source and timing |
|---|---|---|
| At least $6.1 billion | Reported initial valuation for the majority-stake transaction | Associated Press, March 20, 2025 agreement announcement |
| Up to 20% higher for the remaining shares | Potential later-stage pricing under a formula tied to league revenue growth | Terms reported by the Associated Press on March 20, 2025 |
| Could reach $7.3 billion | Possible value for the overall staged transaction, not the initial valuation | Associated Press, March 20, 2025 |
When was the sale agreed, approved, and completed?
The sale unfolded in stages. The agreement date, league approval, and closing date are separate milestones:
- July 1, 2024 — sale plan announced. Boston Basketball Partners said it expected to sell a majority interest first, with the balance expected to close in 2028. Its announcement said Wyc Grousbeck was expected to remain team governor until that second closing. The Celtics’ July 1, 2024 announcement set out that initial plan.
- March 20, 2025 — definitive agreement announced. The existing ownership group announced an agreement with Chisholm’s investor group. AP reported the initial valuation and two-stage terms on that date. Read the AP agreement report.
- August 13, 2025 — NBA approval. The Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of controlling interests. The NBA’s official announcement identifies the approval and Chisholm-led group.
- August 19, 2025 — transaction closed. The Celtics announced that the group had acquired majority control. The team’s closing announcement marks the completed transfer of majority control.
Who runs the Celtics after the closing?
After closing, Chisholm became the controlling owner and team governor, representing the Celtics in league matters. Grousbeck remained a co-owner and CEO and became alternate governor. The NBA.com/AP report said Grousbeck would handle day-to-day operations alongside Chisholm. It also reported that team president Rich Gotham, general manager Brad Stevens, and coach Joe Mazzulla were expected to remain in their roles. These are the roles and expectations reported at closing; they do not establish that the ownership transaction caused any later roster or basketball decisions.
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Was the Celtics sale a record?
At the time the agreement was announced in March 2025, AP described the Celtics’ minimum initial valuation of $6.1 billion as the largest price ever for an American professional sports team. AP compared it with the $6.05 billion paid for the Washington Commanders in 2023, the prior benchmark cited in that report. That is a dated comparison, not a claim that the Celtics figure remains the record today.
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