Last week, reports surfaced linking Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to the potential purchase of the Boston Celtics, who were put up for sale by the Grousbeck family in July.
During Monday night’s Super Bowl Opening Night, which featured interviews and photo sessions with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, Lurie made his first public appearance since the reports emerged. He addressed the speculation, making it clear he has no interest in purchasing the Celtics—or any other sports team.
“I’m not really interested in acquiring another sports team. I think it’s connected because they were my childhood team,” Lurie said. “I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for their whole culture, I sort of see it as like a kindred soul in the NBA. Wyc has been an outstanding owner. I love the way that they’ve developed that team. We’ve got to celebrate so many banners of the years. It’s not something that’s at the top of my mind. My sole focus is on my love of the Eagles and to win another Super Bowl for Philadelphia. I’m obsessed.”
Lurie, who has owned the Eagles since 1994, grew up in Boston. His family were season ticket holders for the Boston Patriots starting in their inaugural season in 1960, which sparked Lurie’s interest in purchasing the franchise when it went up for sale in 1993. However, his family reportedly withdrew from the bidding once the price exceeded $150 million.
The 73-year-old completed all of his education in Massachusetts, earning an undergraduate degree from Clark University, a master’s in psychology from Boston University, and a doctorate in social policy from Brandeis. He was at an NBA Finals game last June.
“I don’t expect anything, really,” he continued on the sale. “I would never say never, but I’m not looking to own another sports franchise. The Celtics, again, are exceptional. They’re so well run. They’re so talented. They’re my childhood team. However, I do not expect that to happen.”
The first round of bids to purchase one of the NBA's most prestigious franchises have already been submitted, with Steve Paglicua, who co-led the group that purchased the Celtics with Grousbeck in 2002 for $360 million, being the only publicly known bidder so far.
The Grousbeck family expects the ultimate price to exceed $6 billion, with Wyc Grousbeck slated to continue as the team’s governor until the sale concludes in 2028.
Since assuming control in 2002, the Celtics have secured two NBA championships, reached the Finals four times, achieved the third-highest number of regular-season victories, and recorded the second-highest number of playoff victories in the league.
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