The Boston Celtics sold for a record-setting $6.1 billion to private equity billionaire William Chisholm, the team announced Thursday.
The sale — which has yet to be approved by the NBA’s board of governors — features the richest price for a North American sports team. The jaw-dropping price tag narrowly breaks the record set by the $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders in 2023.
The NFL might rule the American sports landscape, but the Celtics are a league above where the Commanders were two years ago.
Boston is defending its 2024 championship with stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the squad into another postseason run. The franchise’s 18 NBA titles are the most in league history, one above the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Celtics’ sale could set a new standard for NBA valuations. Two years ago, Mat Ishbia paid $4 billion for the Phoenix Suns (and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury) while Jimmy and Dee Haslem paid $3.5 billion for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Even the league-worst Washington Wizards have seen their value skyrocket over the past four years. In 2021, owner Ted Leonsis’ club was worth just $1.9 billion, according to Forbes. That number has ballooned to more than $4 billion.
