For Bill Chisholm, the future looks bright as he begins a new era of success for the Boston Celtics. No wonder last month the NBA unanimously approved his historic deal to purchase the team—now worth at least $6.1 billion. Chisholm, a Massachusetts native, made a fortune in private equity. Today, he seeks to win titles for the Bay Area franchise with the most colorful and successful history in the league.
Chisholm’s first visit to Boston took place in the 1980s. He went to a game at the old Boston Garden, and that experience turned him into a lifelong Celtics fan. Now, under new ownership, he has shown that winning comes first. “Let’s do whatever we can to win championships and raise banners, and raise as many as we can,” he stated during an introductory press conference.
Under the new ownership structure, Chisholm will be alternate governor to the Celtics. However, because his ownership share has now fallen below the 15% threshold, he will not keep his title as designated governor. He emphasized that the team’s success will remain paramount, stating, “Ultimately, we’re going to do everything we can to win. It’s job No. 1.”
Indeed, Chisholm’s promise to maintaining a measured perspective toward team operations flows through his check-ins with the basketball operations staff. He remarked, “Let’s go for it, but let’s do it in a reasonable way,” indicating his intent to maintain a sustainable strategy while pursuing success on the court.
The Celtics’ previous ownership group, led by Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca, acquired the team in 2002 for $360 million. This will allow Grousbeck to remain in his role as CEO for five more years. More than half of the former ownership group will remain involved, including notable figures like Brad Stevens and head coach Joe Mazzulla, ensuring continuity as Chisholm takes the helm.
This summer, after acquiring core pieces like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, these moves are primarily geared towards upping their on-field competitiveness while increasing their long-term financial flexibility. When it comes to retention philosophy, Chisholm matches Stevens’ aversion to locking a roster in place. He acknowledged, “The flexibility Brad talks about, I think that’s paramount to doing that.”
Chisholm has cause for optimism when it comes to the team’s improvements. Even after their surprising 2024 title run, led by superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, that belief has only taken root further. He underscored, “We’ve got a pretty fantastic situation happening right now” at the TD Garden.
Chisholm is committed to ensuring Boston does more to advance women’s sports. She’s been an outspoken advocate for the idea and feasibility of attracting a WNBA team to the city. He stated, “It’s definitely something we’re going to look at. I know the [WNBA] has a process.”
He noted, “The second thing is, I think the Celtics and the Bruins belong together,” highlighting a potential collaborative spirit within Boston’s sports community.
As Chisholm embarks on this new chapter with the Celtics, his vision appears clear: to build on a legacy of success while fostering an environment conducive to winning championships. His commitment to both immediate and long-term goals will undoubtedly shape the future of one of basketball’s most prestigious franchises.
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