The Boston Celtics stand as one of the most historic franchises in NBA history, boasting a league-high 18 championships and coming off another title win. With stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way, the team remains a top contender and is eyeing another deep playoff push. However, they may be doing so under new ownership.
While the staggering $6.1 billion price tag grabbed headlines, the biggest shock wasn’t the cost—it was the person behind the purchase.
Until now, William Bill Chisholm was virtually unknown, not just to sports fans but also to much of the private equity sector. He had no Wikipedia page, no presence on Getty Images, and no listing on CelebrityNetWorth.com. Just a lifelong Celtics fan from a small town in Massachusetts who has now stepped into the limelight.
Chisholm, the managing partner of Symphony Technology Group, has agreed to acquire the Celtics at a record valuation for any North American sports team. His firm manages roughly $10 billion in assets, leading to initial skepticism about where he was sourcing the funds. His name wasn’t even mentioned in early rumors about the sale. “We know so little about this guy I don’t even know how to pronounce his name,” Celtics superfan Bill Simmons remarked on his podcast. (For clarification, it’s pronounced “Chizzum.”) The fact that Chisholm could personally contribute the necessary funds to secure control of the team highlights how lucrative even lesser-known private equity firms can be.
To ease concerns, Chisholm clarified that he isn’t buying the team alone. He is partnering with investors like Rob Hale, a current Celtics shareholder, and Bruce Beal Jr. Additionally, private equity firm Sixth Street is contributing at least $1 billion to the deal.
As per NBA regulations, Chisholm must personally cover at least 15% of the purchase price, with half—$450 million—due upfront and the remainder payable over the next three years. Sources close to the deal indicate that he intends to contribute $500 million immediately and secure another $500 million for future payments.
Originally from Georgetown, Massachusetts, Chisholm developed his passion for the Celtics while watching games from obstructed-view seats at the old Boston Garden. He later attended Dartmouth College and earned an MBA from Wharton before working at Bain Capital and eventually co-founding Symphony Technology Group in 2002. Despite overseeing nearly $12 billion in assets, he has largely remained out of the public eye—until now.
Recently, Chisholm introduced himself to the team and shared a few words of encouragement.
Boston Basketball Partners, LLC, the current ownership group, began considering a sale after the Celtics’ championship victory in June. Led by Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca, the group purchased the franchise for $360 million in 2002. Grousbeck will continue as CEO and governor for at least three more years. Though widely seen as the face of the ownership group, Grousbeck only holds about 2% of the team, meaning his share of the $6.1 billion sale is approximately $122 million. His father, Irving Grousbeck, is believed to be the primary stakeholder.
Chisholm fully supports Grousbeck’s continued involvement, calling it an “intelligence test.” He explained, “Why would you want to mess with that? This is working at every level.”
Pagliuca, often referred to as “Pags,” also submitted a bid for ownership. He claimed his group made a fully guaranteed offer at a record price but ultimately was not chosen. After losing out, he pointedly noted that his bid did not include debt or private equity funding, which could potentially hinder the team’s financial flexibility—a clear dig at Chisholm’s backing from Sixth Street. He also hinted that his group remains prepared to step in if the deal collapses.
Now, this once-unknown private equity investor from Georgetown, Massachusetts, is set to take over the most decorated franchise in NBA history, along with a payroll that’s about to soar. But given Chisholm’s business acumen and deep-rooted passion for the team, he might just be the right person to keep the Celtics on top. The only question is whether he’ll ever regret the purchase—or see his name finally land on Wikipedia.
