Boston Celtics’ Franchise Sold for Highest Price in History of US Professional Sports
The most costly franchise sale in the history of professional sports in the United States has just occurred in the NBA. On a market where prices are rising annually, the Boston Celtics’ reported sale currently tops the list.
Photo: Boston Celtics logo on the court (screenshot: youtube.com/@Celtics)
The Boston Celtics’ $6.1 billion sale raised the standard for NBA teams. The men’s basketball franchise from the capital of Massachusetts is certain to become the highest-paid franchise sale overall in the nation, considering the recent surge in team valuations in the US professional sport.
Owner Wyc Grousbeck listed the Boston Celtics for sale shortly after the team won their first title in almost 15 years in 2024. He apparently found a buyer in Bill Chisolm after months of looking for one. The founder of the private equity business reportedly agreed to a record-breaking $6.1 billion sale price to purchase one of the most well-known sports franchises in the world. Actually, Chisolm did so as the leader of an investor group, along with fellow investors Rob Hale and Bruce Beal Jr. Grousbeck will remain the team’s governor through the 2027–28 season.
The Celtics, who Grousbeck’s family first bought in 2002 for a “pittance” of $360 million, have seen a sharp increase in value, as evidenced by the sale price. At almost 1,600%, this rise is an excellent investment. Furthermore, the Celtics, who have won the league record of 18 titles in their illustrious history, have established themselves as more than just a basketball club; they are a beloved Boston institution. The Celtics were the main favorites to defend the championship up until recently when online basketball betting sites with NBA lines started to favor the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Top 10 Franchise Sales in United States’ Pro Sports
The price of the Celtics’ sale broke the previous franchise sales record in US professional sports of $6.05 billion, which was set in 2023 when Dan Snyder sold the NFL’s Washington Commanders to a consortium led by Josh Harris. Due to soaring valuations over the past 10 years and the desire of many owners to cash out their investments, twelve U.S. sports clubs have sold for more than $2 billion since 2012.
Let’s list the top 10 of those sales below:
- Boston Celtics (NBA, 2025): $6.1 billion
- Washington Commanders (NFL, 2023): $6.05 billion
- Denver Broncos (NFL, 2022): $4.65 billion
- Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury – package deal (NBA/WNBA 2023): $4 billion
- Dallas Mavericks (NBA, 2023): $3.5 billion
- Charlotte Hornets (NBA, 2023): $3 billion
- New York Mets (MLB, 2020): $2.4 billion
- Brooklyn Nets (NBA, 2019): $2.35 billion
- Carolina Panthers (NFL, 2017): $2.275 billion
- 10.Houston Rockets (NBA, 2019): $2.2 billion
