New Ownership Era for the Celtics

The Boston Celtics are expecting a smooth ownership transition, with new owner Bill Chisholm expressing his commitment to the team’s success. Chisholm, a Massachusetts native who made his money in private equity, leads a group that will pay at least $6.1 billion for the Celtics, a record price for an American professional sports franchise. The NBA unanimously approved the deal last month.

Introduction to Bill Chisholm

Chisholm told reporters that the opportunity to buy into his favorite team was too good to pass up. "The Celtics have brought me joy my entire life," he said. "I feel like I have something to add here. This was an opportunity that was a dream that came true. For me to have this chance, I would never forgive myself if I didn’t go for it." Chisholm vowed to "do whatever it takes" to win championships and raise banners.

Grousbeck will stay on

Former lead owner Wyc Grousbeck will continue with the team as the CEO for five years, with no plans to leave after that. His ownership share will dip below the 15% required for him to continue as the team’s designated governor for league matters, though, so he will serve as alternate governor. Grousbeck said he wants a third ring, and then a fourth ring, and is committed to working with Chisholm to achieve this goal. In all, Grousbeck said, more than half of the old ownership group will be sticking around, along with Stevens, Gotham, and coach Joe Mazzulla.

Transition of Power

But there should be no question who is in charge. "There’s a governor, and the governor has the final say, and that’s me," Chisholm said. "Ultimately, I’m the one responsible." Chisholm’s message to the basketball operations crew is "Let’s go for it, but let’s do it in a reasonable way." He emphasized the importance of flexibility in making deals and acquiring players.

Boston Should Have a WNBA Team

Chisholm expressed his support for the idea of a WNBA team in Boston. The Connecticut Sun are for sale, and Pagliuca offered to buy them and move them to Boston. However, the league nixed the deal, saying cities that had already applied for expansion teams were a higher priority. Chisholm said, "It’s definitely something we’re going to look at. And I know the (WNBA) has a process. We’ll do what we can to expedite things."

TD Garden

Chisholm also sounded like he wasn’t eager to move out of TD Garden, which the Celtics share with the NHL’s Boston Bruins. "I really like the Boston Garden, personally. More importantly, the team and the players really like the Boston Garden. And equally important, the fans really like the Boston Garden. So that’s a starting point," he said. "The second thing is I think the Celtics and the Bruins belong together."

Meet Co-Owner Aditya Mittal

Aditya Mittal, the son of one of India’s richest men and the CEO of ArcelorMittal, the second-largest steel-producing company in the world, also met the media on Thursday. He said he first visited Boston in the 1980s and attended a Celtics game at the old Boston Garden. "It was magical," he said. "I fell in love with it."

The Celtics’ Future is Complicated by the Salary Cap

Chisholm takes over the team in a bit of a transition, just two seasons after its latest title. Jayson Tatum is recovering from surgery to repair the ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered in Boston’s Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the New York Knicks. The Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis this summer to avoid the second apron penalties of the NBA’s salary tax. Stevens said the deals weren’t about the financial penalties as much as the roster restrictions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Boston Celtics are entering a new era under the ownership of Bill Chisholm. With a commitment to winning championships and a smooth transition of power, the team is poised for success. Chisholm’s willingness to "do whatever it takes" to win, combined with the experience and expertise of the existing ownership group and basketball operations crew, makes for an exciting future for the Celtics.

FAQs

Q: Who is the new owner of the Boston Celtics?
A: The new owner of the Boston Celtics is Bill Chisholm.
Q: How much did Bill Chisholm pay for the Celtics?
A: Bill Chisholm’s group will pay at least $6.1 billion for the Celtics.
Q: Will Wyc Grousbeck stay on with the team?
A: Yes, Wyc Grousbeck will continue with the team as the CEO for five years.
Q: Does Bill Chisholm support the idea of a WNBA team in Boston?
A: Yes, Bill Chisholm expressed his support for the idea of a WNBA team in Boston.
Q: Will the Celtics move out of TD Garden?
A: It seems unlikely, as Chisholm expressed his liking for the Boston Garden and his desire to keep the Celtics and Bruins together.