The Celtics just sold for 17 times what it was purchased for in 2002
When we saw the Boston Celtics were going up for sale after winning an NBA title last season, we knew whatever the price tag would be extremely high. A reasonable prediction was somewhere around $5 billion. It would have to beat out the $4 billion Matt Ishbia paid for the Suns in 2022. It'd also easily beat the $1.5 billion sale paid for the Timberwolves, too. The Celtics are one of the most storied and valuable sports franchises.
But, man. $6.1 billion? This is insane.
The Celtics have officially been purchased by Bill Chilsolm of the Symphony Technology Group for $6.1 billion, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. This is the biggest sports team sale in North American history.
BREAKING: Bill Chisholm, managing partner at Symphony Technology Group, has agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics from the Grousbeck family for a valuation for $6.1 billion, sources tell ESPN. This now is the largest sale for a sports franchise in North America. pic.twitter.com/iPphqSQswe
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 20, 2025
The Celtics' sale beat out Josh Harris' purchase of the Commanders in 2023 for $6.05 billion.
The return on investment for the Grousbeck family is unheard of. They bought the team for $360 million in 2002. Today, they get $6.1 billion for it.
The Grousbeck's purchased the Celtics for $360 million in 2002.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 20, 2025
In 2025, the family sells for $6.1 billion.
💰💰💰 https://t.co/YYFCjU2O9b
Obviously, none of these are small amounts of money. Any billion is a billion more than you or I have ever had in our lives. Devolving into a "who spent more" contest is silly.
But, at the same, the Celtics just sold for what most people would probably think is an NFL sale number — not one necessarily for an NBA team. We were trending this way, of course, following the Suns' $4 billion sale. But to get here just a couple of years later is astounding.
If the Celtics are selling for this much, imagine what the Cowboys are worth. Sheesh.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The Celtics just sold for 17 times what it was purchased for in 2002
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Boston Celtics sold for $6.1 billion
The Boston Celtics are being sold​ to William Chisholm for $6.1 billion.CBS News - 8h -
Celtics sold for record $6.1 billion, sources say
Bill Chisholm has agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics from the Grousbeck family for a valuation for $6.1 billion, sources told ESPN.ESPN - 2h -
NBA's Boston Celtics sold for record $6.1 bn
The NBA's Boston Celtics are being sold to the head of a California private equity firm for $6.1 billion, a record price for a US sports franchise, the club's owners confirmed Thursday."If ...Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Celtics to be sold to private equity co-founder for $6 billion, reports say
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Boston Celtics sold to Mass. native, technology group co-founder for record-breaking $6.1 billion
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NBA champion Boston Celtics to be sold for a record $6.1 billion, AP source says
A group led by Symphony Technology Group managing partner William Chisholm has agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics for at least $6.1 billion, which would make the sale the richest in U.S. major ...Yahoo Sports - 18h -
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