Celtics’ $6.1 Billion Sale Gets Massive Update From NBA

Jan 25, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen on the parquet floor before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images | Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The $6.1 billion sale of the Boston Celtics is expected to be finalized shortly.

More news: Celtics Appear to Be Looking to Make Another Trade, Says Cap Expert

Jared Weiss of The Athletic shared the news via X.

The NBA board of governors approved the Celtics sale to Bill Chisholm’s group today, the league announced. The statement said the deal is expected to close shortly.

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) August 13, 2025

The sale for the team received a unanimous approval from the NBA's Board of Governors.

The transaction is expected to "close shortly."

In July 2024, the current governor of the team, Wyc Grousbeck, announced the intention to sell the team in two phases. That came true in March when the Celtics were sold for a then-record-setting $6.1 billion to an investment fund led by Bill Chisholm.

The initial plan of the sale was for Grousbeck to stay on board until 2028. However, that all changed on Tuesday when Grousbeck announced he will no longer be a part of the team.

The sudden change came due to league rules, including minimum ownership. Grousbeck will own less than 15 percent of the team, given final funding for the transaction.

More news: Celtics Insider Reveals Major Goal for Boston in 2025-26

Celtics insider Chris Forsberg spoke on the changing of the guard prior to the sale being finalized. 

“(It’s) a little bit of a change from what was expected, but I don’t think this is going to change a whole lot in how the dynamic is going to work moving forward,” Forsberg said. 

“I think that Bill Chisholm is going to enjoy having Wyc here to help steward the franchise forward in this transition process, but Bill, after paying $6.1 billion, is understandably going to sit in the lead chair. He’ll be the guy who goes to the Board of Governors meetings and has that bigger role as the Celtics chart a path forward here.”

Boston has been under its current ownership for more than two decades, with Grousbeck purchasing the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million.

During his tenure, the team captured two championships and enjoyed plenty of success—from the late 2000s through the early and late 2010s, and continuing into the 2020s.

This upcoming season is being viewed as more of a gap year for Boston. With Jayson Tatum expected to miss most, if not all, of the season and a roster full of question marks, the Celtics will likely focus on doing just enough to secure a top-six playoff spot.

There are many questions around the Celtics, but one of those questions won't be who their new owner is. There have been a ton of changes around all aspects of the team, and the ownership is just one of them. 

Not too much is expected out of the Celtics this upcoming season, but that is not usually the case throughout their history. The Celtics are one of the most successful franchises in all of sports, and now Chisholm will be in charge of keeping that rich history alive and expanding on it.

For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visitBoston Celtics on SI.