Boston Celtics Confirm New Ownership, but Championship Ambitions Remain Unchanged.

Boston Celtics Confirm New Ownership, but Championship Ambitions Remain Unchanged. BOSTON, MA — The Boston Celtics officially have new ownership, but the franchise’s pursuit of more championships will remain its driving mission. Private equity leader Bill Chisholm has taken control of the team from longtime governor Wyc Grousbeck after the NBA unanimously approved the record-setting $6.1 billion sale, the highest ever for a U.S. professional sports franchise. Chisholm emphasized that the ultimate standard for the Celtics will always be winning titles.

“Finishing second isn’t the goal, and it won’t be acceptable,” Chisholm said Tuesday. “The Celtics’ legacy is about banners, and we are committed to raising more.”

A Massachusetts native and lifelong Celtics fan, Chisholm recalled falling in love with the team during the Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale era of the 1980s. He leads a group of investors — including Aditya Mittal, Bruce Beal, Andrew Bialecki, Dom Ferrante, Rob Hale, Mario Ho, and Ian Loring — with Sixth Street also playing a major role in the deal.

The sale gives Chisholm’s group majority control immediately, with full ownership expected by 2028, potentially valuing the franchise at $7.3 billion. That figure would set a new benchmark in North American sports, though a recent Lakers valuation reached $10 billion.

Despite the transition, Celtics leadership will largely stay intact: team president Rich Gotham, general manager Brad Stevens, and coach Joe Mazzulla will all remain in their roles. Grousbeck, who purchased the franchise in 2002 for $360 million alongside Steve Pagliuca, will stay on as co-owner and CEO while assisting Chisholm in guiding operations.

The Celtics enter this new era after winning their 18th championship in 2024, though the team faces challenges. Star Jayson Tatum is rehabbing from an Achilles injury, while Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were recently moved in cost-saving trades under the NBA’s new financial rules.

Still, both Chisholm and Grousbeck believe the team’s foundation remains strong. “We’ve got one of the best rosters in the league, elite basketball minds, and a proven operations team,” Chisholm said. “That’s a great place to build from.”

For Grousbeck, the moment is bittersweet. “Owning a charter franchise with such a storied history — from Red Auerbach and Bill Russell to Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett — is a massive responsibility,” he said. “But it’s also a tremendous honor. The goal is always the same: to keep the Celtics’ legacy alive.”