The NBA team Boston Celtics is said to be on the verge of being sold for a record $6.1 billion to William Chisholm, co-founder of the company Symphony Technology Group, The Boston Globe reported. The sale sets a record for the most expensive North American sports franchise ever, exceeding the $6.05 billion sale of the N.F.L.’s Washington Commanders in 2023.
The deal is still subject to approval from the NBA Board of Governors, and refers to a new ownership group that includes Chisholm, current Celtics co-owner Robert Hale and who are part of Related Companies, as well as Bruce Beal Jr. from Related Companies and global investment firm Sixth Street.
The Celtics, the defending NBA champions and the league’s most successful franchise with 18 championships, have been owned by the Grousbeck family since 2002, when the group it owns with Steve Pagliuca bought the franchise for $360 million. Pagliuca was one of the three other bidders for the team, which also included Philadelphia Phillies co-owner Stan Middleman and The Friedkin Group.
Chisholm, a lifelong Celtics fan and a Massachusetts native, now has one of basketball’s marquee franchises on his resume. The sale mirrors the trend of soaring NBA franchise values in recent years, with the Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks all selling for more than $3 billion in 2023.
