Boston Celtics Sell for Record $6.1 Billion to Private Equity Executive Bill Chisholm

The Boston Celtics logo at center court on the parquet floor before an NBA basketball game between the Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks in Boston on Feb. 13, 2022. Winslow Townson/AP Photo

Boston Basketball Partners LLC announced an agreement on March 20 to sell the Boston Celtics for a record $6.1 billion to a group led by Bill Chisholm, managing director of Symphony Technology Group,

If approved by the NBA Board of Governors, the new ownership group would obtain a majority of the franchise this summer.

Chisholm is a co-founder, managing partner, and Chief Investment Officer of Symphony Technology Group, a Silicon Valley private equity firm.

The company reportedly has $10 billion in assets under management and has a portfolio that generates $3 billion annually.

“I understand how important the Celtics are to the city of Boston—the role the team plays in the community is different than any other city in the country,” Chisholm said.

According to a statement, the rest of the purchasing group includes Boston business executives Bruce A. Beal, Jr. and Rob Hale, as well as Sixth Street, a global investment firm.

The current majority owner, Wyc Grousbeck, purchased the team in 2002 for $360 million. He will remain as CEO and Governor through the 2027-2028 NBA season.

“Bill is a terrific person and a true Celtics fan, born and raised here in the Boston area,” Grousbeck said in the statement. “His love for the team and the city of Boston, along with his chemistry with the rest of the Celtics leadership, make him a natural choice to be the next Governor and controlling owner of the team.”

The deal is a North American sports franchise record, topping the $6.05 billion sale of the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023.

The Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 4–1 to win the 2024 NBA Championship last June.

As of March 24, they are second in the Eastern Conference and are positioned to make their 11th straight playoff appearance.