Who Is Bill Chisholm and How Did He Get $6.1 Billion to Buy the Celtics?
The Boston Celtics, the most decorated franchise in NBA history with 18 championships, are making headlines once again—not for their on-court dominance, but for a record-setting ownership change. Bill Chisholm, a previously little-known private equity executive, is set to purchase the team for an unprecedented $6.1 billion, the highest price ever paid for a North American sports franchise. But who exactly is Bill Chisholm, and how did he manage to finance such a colossal deal?
From Small-Town Fan to Billionaire Buyer
Until this week, Chisholm was virtually unknown outside the financial world. A native of Georgetown, Massachusetts, he grew up watching Celtics games from obstructed-view seats in the old Boston Garden. After studying at Dartmouth and earning his MBA from Wharton, he cut his teeth at Bain Capital before co-founding Symphony Technology Group (STG) in 2002. His firm now manages nearly $12 billion in assets, yet Chisholm had largely avoided the public eye—until now.
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The Financial Breakdown of the Deal
With STG overseeing around $10 billion in assets, initial skepticism arose over how Chisholm could personally finance such a massive purchase. His name wasn’t even in early rumors surrounding the Celtics sale. As Celtics superfan Bill Simmons remarked on his podcast, "We know so little about this guy I don't even know how to pronounce his name." (For the record, it’s pronounced "Chizzum.")
However, Chisholm is not buying the team alone. He is leading an investment group that includes current Celtics shareholder Rob Hale and billionaire Bruce Beal Jr. The group will also receive at least $1 billion from private equity firm Sixth Street. Per NBA ownership rules, Chisholm must contribute at least 15% of the purchase price—roughly $915 million—with half paid immediately and the other half within three years. A source close to the deal said he intends to contribute $500 million now and another $500 million later.
The Celtics’ Ownership Transition
The team’s outgoing controlling ownership group, Boston Basketball Partners, LLC, led by Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca, originally purchased the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million. With the team’s value skyrocketing, they decided to explore a sale following Boston’s latest championship victory. While Grousbeck will remain CEO and governor for at least three more years, Pagliuca’s bid to retain control was unsuccessful. After losing out to Chisholm, he made a pointed remark about his bid having "no debt or private equity money that would potentially hamstring our ability to compete in the future." Despite the jab, the deal is moving forward with Chisholm at the helm.
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Chisholm, for his part, welcomed Grousbeck’s continued involvement, calling it an "intelligence test." "Why would you want to mess with that?" he said. "This is working at every level."
A Bright Future for the Celtics
With Chisholm’s deep love for the team and business acumen, the Celtics’ future looks promising. Boston remains a title contender with stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the charge. The new ownership group, armed with financial muscle and strategic vision, aims to keep the franchise at the top of the NBA hierarchy. If Chisholm’s past success is any indicator, he will make smart, calculated decisions to ensure the Celtics continue their legacy of excellence. Fans can look forward to a future filled with championship aspirations and continued dominance in the NBA.
