Who is Bill Chisholm? What to know about the Boston Celtics’ new owner
The Boston Celtics made history Thursday, reportedly selling for a record $6.1 billion to an investment group led by Symphony Technology Group co-founder Bill Chisholm. The figure set a new record for the largest sale of a North American sports franchise, topping the Washington Commanders' $6.05 billion sale to Josh Harris.
Unlike Harris, who was known for his ownership of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils before getting involved in the bidding for the Commanders, Chisholm is a relative unknown with no previous experience in sports.
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With Chisholm set to own arguably the most prestigious NBA franchise of all-time, here's what fans need to know about the man buying the Celtics.
Bill Chisholm is a lifelong Celtics fan
Chisholm, who grew up in Georgetown, Mass., is reportedly "a lifelong Celtics fan with an 'encyclopedic knowledge' of the team,'" a source told the Boston Globe. In a statement Thursday, Chisholm referred to himself as a "die-hard Celtics fan," and said he is up for the challenge of leading the franchise.
Chisholm remained in the Northeast for college, getting his bachelor's degree at Dartmouth in New Hampshire, and received an MBA with distinction from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Chisholm owns a home on Nantucket, an island in Massachusetts, but will reportedly purchase property in Boston now that his bid to buy the franchise was accepted, per the Globe.
How did Bill Chisholm make his money?
Chisholm is the co-founder of Symphony Technology Group, a private equity firm that manages "data, software and analytics ventures," per its website. Chisholm currently serves as the company's managing partner and chief investment officer. Symphony Technology Group reportedly owns assets worth roughly $10 billion as of March 2023, according to Sportico.
Prior to that, Chisholm worked for The Valent Group, a risk-management company. He also spent time at Bain & Company, which works in consulting; and PaineWebber, Inc., a bank and stock brokerage firm.
When will Bill Chisholm take over the Celtics?
With the sale announced, Chisholm will need to be approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors before he can buy the franchise. Once that happens, Chisholm should own the team as soon as the deal goes through. He won't immediately take over as the team's CEO and governor, however.
Wyc Grousbeck, the Celtics' current majority owner, will remain in those roles through the 2027-28 NBA season. At that point, Grousbeck will stay with the team as a partner to Chisholm. Grousbeck called Chisholm "a terrific person and a true Celtics fan," in a statement Thursday.
Who else is part of Bill Chisholm's Celtics ownership group?
While Chisholm is the face of the Celtics' new ownership group, he isn't the only person involved in the $6.1 billion offer. Rob Hale, a current minority owner of the Celtics, is also a prominent member of Chisholm's group. Hale is the founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications. Hale's net worth is $5.8 billion, per Forbes.
Bruce A. Beal, Jr., president of Related Companies, a real-estate developer, is also involved with the group. As is Sixth Street, a global investment firm that was mentioned by name in the statement announcing the sale Thursday.
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Who is Bill Chisholm, the new majority owner of the Boston Celtics?
The Boston Celtics were sold Thursday to a group led by Bill Chisholm for a $6.1 billion valuation, the most ever for a North American franchise.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Bill Chisholm, Wyc Grousbeck release individual statements on the sale of Celtics
Both Wyc Grousbeck and Bill Chisholm released statements on sale of the Boston Celtics.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
New Celtics owner Bill Chisholm expected to keep Wyc Grousbeck as CEO for next few years
New Boston Celtics owner Bill Chisholm is expected to keep current governor Wyc Grousbeck as team CEO for the next three yearsYahoo Sports - 17h -
Bill Chisholm agrees to buy Boston Celtics for record $6.1 billion
Symphony Technology Group managing partner Bill Chisholm agreed to buy the NBA's Boston Celtics at a $6.1 billion valuation, he announced Thursday.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Report: Massachusetts native Bill Chisholm to buy Boston Celtics for record sum
According to the Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach, Massachusetts native Bill Chisholm is set to buy Boston Celtics for record sumYahoo Sports - 18h -
Boston Celtics sold for $6.1 billion to group led by private equity executive Bill Chisholm
A group led by private equity executive Bill Chisholm is buying the NBA's Boston Celtics for $6.1 billion.CNBC - 14h -
Boston Celtics being sold to Bill Chisholm for North American record $6.1 billion
Chisholm is a tech investor who is the managing partner of Symphony Technology Group in San Francisco.Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Celtics to reportedly be sold to private equity firm co-founder Bill Chisholm for record $6.1 billion
The Celtics reportedly found their next owner.Yahoo Sports - 18h -
Boston Celtics sale: NBA franchise agrees to sell for record-breaking $6.1 billion to Bill Chisholm
Massachusetts native Chisholm is the managing partner and co-founder of Symphony Technology Group, based out of CaliforniaCBS Sports - 11h
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