Bill Chisholm’s Journey: From Unknown Figure to Boston Celtics and NBA Ownership

November 27, 2025 kenra

Few lifelong sports fans ever imagine owning the team they have supported since childhood. For Bill Chisholm, that dream seemed even more impossible. Despite building a major private equity career, he believed he had only a one percent chance of buying the Boston Celtics when he began the process more than a year earlier. Yet, by March 2025, Chisholm found himself pacing anxiously in his Menlo Park office, waiting to hear whether his multi-billion-dollar bid had been enough to secure one of the most coveted franchises in American sports.

A Historic and Closely Watched NBA Team Sale

The Celtics’ decision to sell attracted worldwide attention. Not only were they one of the most iconic NBA teams, but the sale also occurred right after they won another championship. At the same time, the league had just finalized an 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal, adding more weight to the transaction.

Unique Sale Conditions

Several unusual factors shaped the sale:

Wyc Grousbeck, the public face of ownership, wanted to remain as lead governor even after selling.
The championship roster came with a potential $500 million payroll in the first season under new ownership.
The Celtics did not control their arena, nor did they have plans to build one, a point industry experts believed could limit valuation.

Despite these complications, interest remained strong. Four serious bidders placed offers in mid-March with one clear rule: the highest bid wins.

Chisholm Receives the Call

During intense meetings at Symphony Technology Group, Chisholm stepped aside, too nervous to sit. When Frank Ghali of Jordan Park finally informed him that his bid had won, the moment felt surreal. Chisholm described the experience as unlike any investment he had ever made—“a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

His group’s offer became the highest price ever paid for control of an NBA franchise, thrusting Chisholm, previously known only in finance circles, into the global sports spotlight.

Winning by a Narrow Margin

Chisholm secured the Celtics at a $6.1 billion valuation, beating the second-highest bidder by less than $100 million, according to sources familiar with the bidding. In a transaction of this scale, the difference was incredibly small—but enough to hand him ownership of his childhood team from Georgetown, Massachusetts.

Chisholm said he never imagined owning the Celtics:
“It feels like a dream you never even thought to dream.”

Why the Grousbeck Family Decided to Sell

The Celtics officially hit the market on July 1, 2024, just two weeks after winning their 18th NBA title. Although Wyc Grousbeck was the public leader, it was his father Irv Grousbeck, then nearing his nineties, who held majority control. He believed it was time to resolve family estate matters and prevent future tax complications.

The family had purchased the team for $360 million in 2002, and its value had surged into the billions. While Wyc wanted to keep the team, his siblings preferred selling. Eventually they united behind Irv’s decision and hired Jordan Park, JPMorgan Chase, and BDT & MSD Partners to manage the sale.

Chisholm Enters the Race

Chisholm began entertaining the idea during the summer of 2024, though he considered it a long-shot fantasy. With expectations that the Celtics could set a new record for an NBA control sale, even major names like Jeff Bezos were rumored (incorrectly) to be interested. Alternate governor Stephen Pagliuca, who owned roughly 20%, was initially viewed as the frontrunner.

Still, Chisholm persisted.
As he put it: “It started as daydreaming, but you miss every shot you don’t take.”

The Bidding Process: From Long Shot to Finalist

Formal bidding opened on January 23, 2025. Six groups submitted serious offers. Soon after, bankers encouraged all bidders to increase their numbers, which many believed was an effort to drive the valuation higher.

Chisholm advanced into the final round alongside:

Stephen Pagliuca
Stan Middleman, minority owner of the Phillies
The Friedkin Group, owners of AS Roma and Everton

By the second round, Chisholm felt his odds had improved from 1% to 50–50.

The Meeting That Changed Everything

Finalists met with Celtics leadership before submitting their last bids. Chisholm said speaking with Brad Stevens, Rich Gotham, and Joe Mazzulla reaffirmed his belief that pursuing ownership was the right decision. Their vision for the team deeply impressed him.