Bolton Celtics: NBA’s Most Successful Team to Be Sold for Record Multi-Billion Sum

The NBA unanimously approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to a group led by magnate Bill Chisholm. The deal values the club at over $6.1 billion—the largest ever for a North American professional sports team.

The league stated the transaction is expected to close soon. Upon completion, Chisholm will acquire ownership of at least 51 percent of the team, with full control expected by 2028 at a price that could raise the total value to $7.3 billion, according to the Associated Press.

This will be the most expensive transaction in North American sports history. The current record holder is the NFL's Washington Commanders, purchased in 2023 for $6.05 billion. The previous record for an NBA team was the $4 billion paid by mortgage company owner Mat Ishbia for the Phoenix Suns in 2023.

The Celtics' new owner will be William (Bill) Chisholm, head of the investment fund Symphony Technology Group. Chisholm and a group of smaller investors will purchase the Celtics' shares from the Grosbeck family, owners of the NBA's most successful franchise since 2002.

The Celtics have 18 championships, the last two—in 2008 and 2024—won under Grosbeck ownership. They remain the most succssive NBA franchise with their haul one more than the Los Angeles Lakers.