BOSTON — Sept. 25, 2025 — Newly approved Boston Celtics governor Bill Chisholm said Thursday he is prepared to commit any necessary resources to keep the franchise contending for championships after purchasing the club for at least $6.1 billion.
Speaking at a press conference alongside outgoing lead owner Wyc Grousbeck, team president Rich Gotham and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, Chisholm declared, “Let’s do whatever we can to win championships and raise banners … I will do whatever it takes, whatever the Boston Celtics need me to do.”
Ownership change keeps core leadership intact
Chisholm, a Massachusetts native who built his fortune in private equity, heads the investment group that bought the team from the consortium led by Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca. The NBA unanimously approved the sale last month, setting a record price for an American professional sports franchise.
Grousbeck, part of the ownership team that acquired the Celtics for $360 million in 2002 and won NBA titles in 2008 and 2024, will remain as chief executive officer for five years. His stake will fall below the 15 percent threshold required to serve as the league-designated governor, so he will act as alternate governor.
More than half of the previous ownership group will retain stakes, and Stevens, Gotham and head coach Joe Mazzulla will continue in their roles.
Front-office strategy and salary-cap flexibility
Boston traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis this offseason to avoid second-apron luxury-tax restrictions, moves Grousbeck said were planned regardless of the sale. Stevens noted the trades were driven by roster flexibility, explaining that remaining above the second apron would have prevented Boston from making past acquisitions such as Porziņģis, Holiday and Derrick White.
Chisholm endorsed that approach, telling basketball operations staff, “Let’s go for it, but let’s do it in a reasonable way.”
Facilities and potential WNBA pursuit
The new owner signaled support for adding a WNBA franchise to Boston and said he would work within league procedures to expedite the process. He also indicated no immediate desire to leave TD Garden, which the Celtics share with the NHL’s Bruins, calling the arena “a great thing” for players and fans alike.
Rosters, injuries and ambitions
Boston’s near-term outlook includes star forward Jayson Tatum’s recovery from surgery on a ruptured right Achilles tendon sustained during last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals. Despite that setback and recent roster changes, Chisholm and Grousbeck both expressed a desire to collect more rings, with Grousbeck noting, “I want a third ring. And then I want a fourth ring.”
The Celtics have reached the postseason in 20 of the past 23 years and last won the NBA title in 2024 behind Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Source: ESPN
