The Celtics' Big Sale and Seattle's NBA Dreams

The Boston Celtics have just been sold for a staggering $6. 1 billion. This massive deal is not just about changing ownership. It sets a new standard for how much an NBA team is worth. The Celtics do not even own their own arena. Yet, this sale is the highest ever for a sports team in North America. This news has sparked a lot of talk about the NBA expanding. Many people think this sale will kickstart the process. The NBA has not expanded since 2002. That was when the Charlotte Bobcats joined the league. They started playing in 2004. The sale also clears the way for Samantha Holloway. She is the daughter of the late David Bonderman. He owned a share of the Celtics. The NBA rules say you cannot own parts of two teams. So, this sale opens up possibilities for Holloway. She owns the Seattle Kraken. She has been eyeing an NBA team for Seattle. She has been quietly preparing for this moment. She has the Climate Pledge Arena ready. She also has the support of the fans in Seattle. However, she will respect the NBA's process and timeline. The NBA owners are meeting soon. They will discuss this deal and other complex transactions. But, expansion is not on their agenda for now. The NBA commissioner has talked about expanding into Europe. But, that is not happening anytime soon. The Celtics' sale has put a spotlight on Seattle. Fans there are eager for an NBA team to return. The last team, the Seattle Sonics, left in 2008. The city has been waiting ever since. The NBA's expansion fee is expected to be between $4 to $5 billion. This is based on the Celtics' valuation. It is a lot of money. But, it shows how valuable NBA teams have become. The regular season ends on April 13. After that, the focus will shift to the playoffs. But, the Celtics' sale has already made waves. It has raised questions about the future of the NBA. And, it has given hope to fans in Seattle. They dream of having an NBA team again. The NBA's next move will be crucial. It will shape the league's future and the dreams of many fans.