The Boston Celtics have found a buyer. According to the Boston Globe, the Celtics' ownership group has agreed to sell the team to William Chisholm, who is the managing director and co-founder of Symphony Technology Group.
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the sale is for $6.1 billion, making it the largest sale ever for a sports franchise in North America. The previous record was $6.05 billion for the Washington Commanders in 2023.
Chisholm grew up in Georgetown, Mass. and is a lifelong Celtics fan. He graduated from Dartmouth College. STG is a California-based private equity form.
Adam Himmelsbach of the Globe adds that current Celtics minority owner Rob Hale, the president of Granite Telecommunications, will be part of the new ownership group, something Hale himself hinted at on The Greg Hill Show last week.
The Grousbeck family announced their intent to sell their controlling stake in the team last July, with a two-stage plan to sell 51% now and the rest in 2028. The Globe reports that Wyc Grousbeck is expected to remain governor through the ownership transition.
The Celtics reportedly had a final round of bidding last week with groups still in the running, including Chisholm. The other three bidders were reportedly The Friedkin Group, Philadelphia Phillies minority owner Stan Middleman, and a group led by current Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca.
Boston Basketball Partners, led by the Grousbeck family, bought the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million and helped lead the franchise to two NBA titles in 2008 and 2024.
UPDATE: Pagliuca released the statement below regarding the sale to Chisholm: