The Big Green Machine Gets a New Boss

The Boston Celtics have a new owner. William Chisholm, a big-time fan and successful businessman, is taking over the team for a record-breaking $6. 1 billion. This deal makes it the most expensive sports team sale in North American history. Chisholm is no stranger to the Celtics. He grew up in the Boston area and has been a lifelong fan. He even has an impressive knowledge of the team's history. Chisholm is the managing director and co-founder of Symphony Technology Group. He is also part of a group that includes other Boston business bigwigs and a global investment firm. The sale is still waiting for the green light from the NBA Board of Governors. The Grousbeck family, who have owned the Celtics since 2002, decided to sell the team for family and estate planning reasons. Wyc Grousbeck, the current co-owner, will stick around as the team's governor until the 2027-28 season. He had good things to say about Chisholm, calling him a true Celtics fan and a great fit for the team. The sale process was intense. Several groups were in the running, including Steve Pagliuca, who was vocal about his interest. Pagliuca even put together a group with existing owners and new partners with tech and international expertise. He claimed his offer was the best for the Celtics, but it seems Chisholm's bid won out. Chisholm's love for the Celtics is clear. He talked about the team's importance to Boston and his readiness to take on the responsibility of leading the organization. The Celtics are coming off an 18th NBA championship and are favorites to win again this year. However, Chisholm will face challenges. The team has a massive payroll and luxury tax bill, and they don't own their home arena. The players, like All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, are hopeful that the new ownership will keep the team's winning culture intact. Tatum trusts the current leadership to make the right decisions. Chisholm will have to navigate these challenges while keeping the team competitive. The Celtics have a rich history and a passionate fan base. Chisholm's challenge will be to maintain that legacy while dealing with the financial realities of running a top-tier sports team.