After Lakers… Boston Celtics Sold for $6 Billion

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to an investment group led by William “Bill” Chisholm, five months after the then-record deal worth $6.1 billion was reached.

In a brief statement, the league said: “The NBA Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of controlling stakes in the Boston Celtics to an investment group led by Bill Chisholm.” It added: “The transaction is expected to be completed soon.”

The Celtics, one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, hold the record for the most championships, with 18 titles — the latest coming in 2024.

Chisholm is the managing director and co-founder of Symphony Technology Group. When he and his fellow investors agreed to purchase the iconic Celtics franchise “at an initial valuation of $6.1 billion,” it was the highest price ever offered for a sports team in North America.

That figure has since been surpassed by the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers by the Buss family for $10 billion last June to billionaire Mark Walter.

When the Celtics’ sale was announced, it was stated that Wyc Grousbeck would continue as CEO, franchise representative to the league, decision-maker, and overseer of team operations until the 2027–28 season.

The Grousbeck family and Steve Pagliuca purchased the Celtics for $360 million in 2002. However, local media reported this week that Chisholm, a Massachusetts native who describes himself as “a passionate Celtics fan,” will take over as the franchise’s representative, as under league rules, Grousbeck would no longer hold the 15% ownership stake required to retain the role.

ESPN also reported that Chisholm and Grousbeck “plan to run the team together, as originally intended.”

League Tips Off October 21

The NBA will return for its 80th season on October 21, with defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Houston Rockets in the season opener.

The Thunder will raise their championship banner before facing Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last season’s MVP, and his Rockets teammates, led by Kevin Durant — a two-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, the 2014 MVP, and a recent high-profile acquisition from the Phoenix Suns last month as part of a record seven-team trade.

This will be the first of two games on the opening night of the 2026 season, followed by the Golden State Warriors visiting the Los Angeles Lakers — marking the 57th career encounter between superstars Stephen Curry and LeBron James, both four-time NBA champions.

James, now 40, will become the first player in league history to compete in a 23rd season, while his Slovenian teammate Luka Dončić will make his first opening-night appearance in a Lakers jersey.

The league also announced the schedule for other key games, including the Christmas Day lineup.

Christmas Day will feature five games, starting with the Cleveland Cavaliers visiting the New York Knicks, who have played a record 57 times on Christmas.

Later that day, the San Antonio Spurs will travel to Oklahoma City to face the defending champions in their first Christmas appearance since 2018, followed by the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Golden State Warriors — a matchup that will mark Klay Thompson’s return to San Francisco to face his former teammates.

The Christmas slate will conclude with two more games: the Lakers hosting the Rockets, and the Denver Nuggets facing the Minnesota Timberwolves.