Boston Celtics’ ₹50,850 Crore Sale Nears Completion; Two-Week Timeline Fixed: Report
The Celtics are being sold for ₹50,850 crore (approximately $6.1 billion) to William Chisholm’s consortium, subject to NBA approval. This marks the second-largest sale of an NBA team after the ₹83,500 crore ($10 billion) Lakers deal.
The Boston Celtics are on the verge of a landmark ownership shift, with a ₹50,850 crore ($6.1 billion) sale to private equity veteran William Chisholm and his investment group likely to be finalised within the coming fortnight.
As per a report by Sportico on Thursday, the deal still awaits the green signal from the NBA’s Board of Governors, which comprises all 30 team owners. The vote may be conducted remotely and is usually a mere formality for high-profile franchise transactions.
Record-Breaking Sale for a Prestigious Team
The Celtics had confirmed back in March that the Chisholm-led consortium would acquire the team from the Grousbeck family and Boston Basketball Partners LLC. At ₹50,850 crore, the deal was the highest-ever for any North American sports team—until June, when Mark Walter agreed to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers at a mind-boggling ₹83,500 crore ($10 billion) valuation.
The Celtics deal will now stand as the second-highest in NBA history, right behind the Lakers’ record-setting agreement.
Chisholm, a native of Massachusetts and co-founder of California-based private equity firm STG Partners, has been a lifelong fan of the Celtics. Though Wyc Grousbeck is expected to continue as the team’s governor until the close of the 2027–28 season, Chisholm will take over the role after the full handover.
The Grousbeck group had originally acquired the Celtics back in 2002 for ₹3,000 crore ($360 million), highlighting the tremendous surge in franchise values over the last 20 years. Boston Basketball Partners LLC had revealed in 2023 their intention to sell the majority stake by late 2024 or early 2025, with the remaining portion to be sold by 2028.
Grousbeck, whose family has been deeply involved in the operations and success of the Celtics—including their 2008 NBA Championship win—will continue to oversee the team during the transition phase.
