NBA Approves Historic $6.1 Billion Celtics Sale

Key Takeaways

• The NBA board of governors unanimously approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to a group led by private equity mogul Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion, setting a record for the most expensive American professional sports franchise
• Chisholm, managing partner at Symphony Technology Group, will acquire at least 51% of the team with full control coming by 2028 at a price that could reach $7.3 billion
• The deal surpasses the previous record of $6.05 billion paid for the NFL's Washington Commanders in 2023 and far exceeds the NBA record of $4 billion paid for the Phoenix Suns in 2023
• Current owner Wyc Grousbeck will remain as CEO and governor through the 2027-28 season, ensuring continuity for the defending champions

The Boston Celtics have officially changed hands in what represents the most expensive transaction in American sports history. Private equity firm Sixth Street contributed more than $1 billion to the deal as part of the new ownership group, which also includes Boston-area businessman Rob Hale and Bruce Beal Jr., president of real estate firm Related Companies.

The Grousbeck family originally purchased the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million, representing an extraordinary return on investment over their 23-year ownership tenure. This astronomical appreciation reflects not just the Celtics' on-court success—including their record 18th championship in 2024—but the broader transformation of professional sports into premium entertainment assets. The soaring valuations have been fueled by massive media rights deals, including the NBA's 11-year, $76 billion agreement with Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon that more than doubled the league's previous media deal value. For ambitious professionals in media, technology, and finance sectors, this transaction underscores how sports franchises have evolved into diversified business empires that extend far beyond game-day revenue into global entertainment, technology, and lifestyle brands.

The deal's structure and timing also signal important trends for executive leadership and succession planning. Chisholm specifically asked Grousbeck to remain in his leadership role, demonstrating the value of maintaining institutional knowledge and proven leadership during ownership transitions.