NBA’s Celtics to be sold for record $6.1 billion to group led by private equity mogul Bill Chisholm

BOSTON — Private equity mogul William Chisholm agreed to buy the Boston Celtics on Thursday in a deal that values the NBA’s reigning champions and the most-decorated franchise in league history at a minimum of $6.1 billion — the largest price ever for American professional sports team. I also understand that there is a responsibility as a leader of the organization to the people of Boston, and I am up for this challenge.” AP AUDIO: NBA champ Celtics sold for record $6.1 billion to group led by private equity mogul Bill Chisholm AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports a private equity mogul has agreed to pay a record price for the Boston Celtics. Wyc Grousbeck, whose family leads the ownership group that bought the team in 2002 for $360 million, said Chisholm asked him to stay on as CEO and Governor for the next three seasons, “and I am glad to do so.” “Bill is a terrific person and a true Celtics fan, born and raised here in the Boston area,” Grousbeck said. Chisholm outbid at least two other groups; one was led by current Celtics minority partner Steve Pagliuca, who said he put together a record, fully guaranteed bid with deep resources and no debt to “ensure we can always compete for championships, luxury taxes be damned.” “It is a bid of true fans, deeply connected to Boston’s community, and we’ve been saddened to find out that we have not been selected,” he said in a statement.