The 18-time champion Boston Celtics pro basketball team - the long-time rival of the New York Knicks - has been purchased in a historic deal following their 2024 NBA Finals win by Symphony Technology managing partner Bill Chisholm for a whopping $6.1 billion, according to reports on Thursday.
The sum beats the previous record-holder for an NBA team purchase, which was last set in 2023 by Mat Ishbia when he purchased the Phoenix Suns for $4 billion.
The Celtics were last announced in July 2024 as being up for sale by then-owners the Grousbeck family “for estate and family planning considerations.” Reports later noted that the disputes between family patriarch Irving Grousbeck and his son, Wyc Grousbeck, over the team's payroll - the priciest in the NBA - may have lead to friction between the two.
As per the terms of the sale, Wyc Grousbeck will oversee team operations as governor for throughout the 2027-2028 season. The Grousbecks originally purchased the Celtics in 2002 as a part of a group of investors for $360 million.
Currently, Celtics are looking to extend their championship wins to 19 this season after taking home the title last year, and are currently placed second in the Eastern Conference.