An investor group led by Bill Chisholm agreed to buy the Boston Celtics from the ownership group led by Wyc Grousbeck for a minimum initial valuation of $6.1 billion. The NBA unanimously approved the sale of controlling interests on August 13, 2025, and later reporting said Chisholm took control. The $6.1 billion figure was a record for an American professional sports team at the time of the announcement—not an unqualified record today.
Who bought the Boston Celtics?
Bill (William) Chisholm led the investor group that agreed to buy the Celtics from the ownership group led by Wyc Grousbeck. The Associated Press identified Chisholm as managing partner of Symphony Technology Group and named Rob Hale and Bruce Beal Jr. among the incoming group. The agreement was announced in March 2025 and was initially subject to NBA approval. AP’s March 2025 announcement
Chisholm described himself as a lifelong Celtics fan and spoke about the team’s civic role. “I understand how important the Celtics are to the city of Boston — the role the team plays in the community is different than any other city in the country,” he said. That is Chisholm’s perspective, not an independently measured comparison. AP, March 20, 2025
How much did Bill Chisholm pay for the Celtics?
The announced deal was reported at a minimum initial valuation of $6.1 billion. That wording matters: it describes the initial valuation used for the transaction, not proof that $6.1 billion was transferred as one immediate cash payment. AP’s deal terms
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The sale has an initial and a possible later stage
AP reported that Chisholm would acquire at least 51% initially, while existing owners could retain the remaining interest until 2028. A formula tied to league revenue growth could put the later valuation as high as $7.3 billion. That was a possible future valuation, not the announced initial figure or a guaranteed final price. AP’s deal terms
When did the NBA approve the Celtics sale?
The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of controlling interests on August 13, 2025. The league’s announcement said the transaction was expected to close shortly. NBA announcement, August 13, 2025
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Who owns the Celtics now?
In September 2025, AP reported that Chisholm had taken control, holds the governor role and has final say. Grousbeck remained CEO for five years and became alternate governor, according to that report. This describes the governance arrangement reported after approval; Grousbeck’s continuing role does not mean he remained the controlling owner. AP, September 2025
Was the Celtics sale the most expensive sports team sale ever?
It was the highest reported price for an American professional sports team at the time of the March 2025 announcement. AP compared the Celtics’ minimum initial $6.1 billion valuation with the $6.05 billion Washington Commanders sale in 2023. AP’s record comparison
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The historical claim needs a date qualification. In June 2025, AP reported an agreement for a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at a $10 billion valuation, which would exceed the Celtics figure. That report said the Lakers deal was expected to close later in 2025; it does not by itself establish that it subsequently closed. The amounts also describe different reported transaction measures—a minimum initial valuation for the Celtics deal and a valuation for a Lakers majority stake—so they should not be treated as identical measures of cash paid or whole-franchise value. AP, June 2025
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the Celtics price compare with the team’s 2002 purchase?
AP reported that the group led by Grousbeck bought the Celtics for $360 million in 2002. The $6.1 billion minimum initial valuation reported for the 2025 agreement is far higher in nominal dollars, but the two figures refer to transactions more than two decades apart and do not adjust for inflation. AP’s 2025 report
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