In a landmark moment for sports franchises, the Boston Celtics are on the cusp of finalizing a record-shattering $6.1 billion sale to a group led by private equity titan William Chisholm. According to a recent Sportico report, sources close to the deal indicate that the transaction is expected to close as early as late next week or early the following week, ahead of initial projections. This monumental deal, which still awaits approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors, marks a new chapter for one of basketball’s most storied franchises.
The sale, first agreed upon in March, values the Celtics at an unprecedented $6.1 billion, making it the most expensive control sale in sports history at the time. This figure eclipsed the $6.05 billion paid by Josh Harris for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023 and dwarfed the NBA’s prior record of $4 billion, set by Mat Ishbia’s purchase of the Phoenix Suns in 2022. However, the Celtics’ record was recently surpassed by the Los Angeles Lakers’ $10 billion valuation in a deal led by Mark Walter in June.
The Grousbeck family, who purchased the Celtics in 2002 for a comparatively modest $360 million, announced the franchise’s sale last July, just weeks after Boston clinched its NBA-record 18th championship. Citing estate planning as the primary motivation, the Grousbeck-led group structured the sale in two phases, with Chisholm’s group making the first payment earlier this year. The NBA’s Board of Governors, composed of the league’s 30 team owners, will conduct a remote vote to finalize the transaction, streamlining the process without the need for a formal meeting.
William Chisholm, co-founder and managing partner of STG Partners, will spearhead the new ownership group and is set to assume the role of NBA governor from Wyc Grousbeck following the 2027-28 season. Joining Chisholm is Aditya Mittal, son of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, who will hold the second-largest stake and may serve as the alternate governor in the future. Private equity firm Sixth Street, already a minority owner of the San Antonio Spurs, will also hold a significant share in the Celtics, adhering to the NBA’s 20% ownership cap for private equity firms.
The sale process was expertly managed by BDT & MSD Partners and JPMorgan Chase, though both firms and the NBA have remained tight-lipped about the precise timeline for the deal’s closure.
As the ownership transition looms, the Celtics are making bold moves to prepare for the 2025-26 season. On the court, the team is navigating challenges, including star forward Jayson Tatum’s recovery from a torn Achilles sustained during Boston’s second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks. Off the court, the Celtics have executed a series of savvy trades to slash their payroll from $540 million in June to a more manageable $239 million, positioning them below the NBA’s second-apron tax threshold.
Key transactions include trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons, sending Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks for Georges Niang and a second-round pick, and later flipping Niang and two second-round picks to acquire RJ Luis Jr. from the Utah Jazz. These moves paved the way for Boston to sign forward Chris Boucher to a one-year, $3.3 million deal, bolstering the roster while maintaining financial flexibility.
The impending sale and roster overhaul signal a transformative period for the Boston Celtics, a franchise synonymous with excellence. With 18 championships and a passionate fanbase, the team’s $6.1 billion valuation reflects its enduring legacy and market dominance. As Chisholm’s group prepares to take the reins, Celtics fans eagerly await the next chapter, both in ownership and on the hardwood, as the team aims to reclaim its place atop the NBA.