NBA: Boston Celtics acquired for a record $6.1bn by a group led by William Chisholm

A consortium led by American entrepreneur William Chisholm (co-founder of investment fund Symphony Technology Group) has acquired the Boston Celtics NBA franchise from privately-held Boston Basketball Partners for $6.1bn (€5.59bn), it announced on 20/03/2025.

Although the deal is still subject to approval by the NBA's governing body, it represents the most expensive acquisition of a North American team in the history of any sport. It thus surpasses the purchase, in 2023, of the Washington Commanders (NFL) by a group of investors led by Josh Harris (co-founder of the Apollo Global Management fund) for $6.05bn (€5.96bn).

Wycliffe Grousbeck, founder of Boston Basketball Partners and majority shareholder in the reigning NBA champion franchise, will remain CEO and governor until 2027-28. He is also one of a group of investors who are the new owners of the franchise, along with entrepreneur Bruce Beal Jr (president of real estate company Related Companies) and US investment fund Sixth Street.

Boston Basketball Partners bought the Boston Celtics in 2002 for $360m (€330m). The Golden State…