Teams/Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics
Bill Chisholm has controlled the Celtics since 19 August 2025, when his group bought 51% at a $6.1B valuation. Forbes values the team at $7B; it has had about 14 owners or ownership groups since 1946.
Every owner since the start
- 2025-presentBill Chisholm group
Bought 51% at a $6.1B valuation; 49% follows in 2028
- 2002-2025Boston Basketball Partners, led by the Grousbeck family
Bought the whole team from Paul Gaston for $360M
- 1993-2002Paul Gaston
Succeeded his father, Don Gaston; no price
- 1983-1993Don Gaston, Alan Cohen, Paul Dupee Jr.
Bought from Harry Mangurian for $15M (one source says $19M)
- 1979-1983Harry Mangurian Jr.
Bought out partner John Y. Brown Jr.; price not found
- 1978-1979John Y. Brown Jr. and Harry Mangurian Jr.
Swapped their Buffalo Braves for Irv Levin's Celtics; no cash
- 1975-1978Irv Levin and Harold Lipton
Bought the remaining stock after Schmertz died; price not found
- 1972-1975Robert Schmertz
Bought for $3.95M after the NBA rejected a sale to Levin and Lipton
- 1971-1972Investors Funding Corporation, again
Took the team back when Trans-National defaulted
- 1969-1971Trans-National Communications
Bought for $6M, then a record
- 1968-1969Ballantine Brewery (Investors Funding Corporation)
Bought from Marvin Kratter; the Boston Globe lists $3M
- 1965-1968Marvin Kratter
Bought from Marjorie Brown and Lou Pieri for $3M
- 1964-1965Marjorie Brown and Lou Pieri
Split 50/50 when her husband, Walter Brown, died
- 1950-1964Walter Brown, with Lou Pieri
Brown bought it from his arena company; price not found
- 1946-1950Boston Garden-Arena Corporation
Founded the team under its president, Walter Brown
Value over time
- 12002 Grousbeck group buys, $360M
- 22025 Chisholm takes control, $6.1B
Show the numbers
| Year | Forbes value |
|---|---|
| 1998 | $176M |
| 1999 | $187M |
| 2000 | $212M |
| 2002 | $218M |
| 2003 | $274M |
| 2004 | $334M |
| 2005 | $353M |
| 2007 | $391M |
| 2008 | $447M |
| 2009 | $433M |
| 2011 | $452M |
| 2012 | $482M |
| 2013 | $730M |
| 2014 | $875M |
| 2015 | $1.7B |
| 2016 | $2.1B |
| 2017 | $2.2B |
| 2018 | $2.5B |
| 2019 | $2.8B |
| 2020 | $3.1B |
| 2021 | $3.55B |
| 2022 | $4B |
| 2023 | $4.7B |
| 2024 | $6B |
| 2025 | $6.7B |
| 2026 | $7B |
| Year | Sale | Team valued at |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Grousbeck-led Boston Basketball Partners buys the team from Paul Gaston | $360M |
| 2025 | Chisholm group buys 51% at a $6.1B valuation | $6.1B |
| 2025 | Aditya Mittal invests about $1B at the $6.1B valuation | $6.1B |
| 2025 | Sixth Street takes about 12.5% at the $6.1B valuation | $6.1B |
| 2028 | Agreed: last 49% due in 2028 at a reported $7.3B (Boston Globe: about $6.6B) | $7.3B |
Forbes valued the Celtics at $176M in 1998 and $7B in 2026, about 40 times as much. The biggest one-year jump was $1.3B in 2024, from $4.7B to $6.0B; by percentage it was 2015, up 94%.
How the current owner bought it
- The Grousbeck family put the team up for sale in July 2024, for estate planning.
- Chisholm won the auction in March 2025. The $6.1B valuation was then a record for control of a North American team.
- The first stage, 51%, closed on 19 August 2025.
- He bid as an individual, not fully financed at signing. Sixth Street pledged $1B; Aditya Mittal added about $1B in May 2025, closing the gap.
Partners in the team
| Partner | Stake | Who they are |
|---|---|---|
| Aditya Mittal | About $1B invested; second-largest holder | CEO of steelmaker ArcelorMittal; alternate governor |
| Sixth Street | About 12.5%; third-largest holder | Private equity firm; also owns part of the San Antonio Spurs |
| Wyc Grousbeck | 13%, falling to about 3% in 2028 (Boston Globe) | Former lead owner; stays as CEO |
Other investors, stakes not found, include Robert Hale Jr., Bruce Beal Jr. and Steve Pagliuca.
How the team is run
- Chisholm is NBA governor and has the final say. Brad Stevens runs basketball and Rich Gotham the business.
- The Celtics do not own TD Garden; Chisholm wants to stay and improve it.
- In his first summer the team cut payroll to get under the second apron, a league payroll threshold.
Quick answers
Who owns the Boston Celtics?
Bill Chisholm has controlled the Celtics since 19 August 2025, when his group bought 51% at a $6.1B valuation.
How much are the Boston Celtics worth?
Forbes values the Boston Celtics at $7B in its October 2026 list, up 4% from $6.7B a year earlier. That makes them the 5th most valuable of the 30 teams; in 1998 Forbes put the team at $176M.
How much did the current owner pay for the Celtics?
$6.1B valuation for 51% (Bill Chisholm, 2025). Forbes now values the team at 1.1 times that price.
Who owned the Boston Celtics before the current owner?
Boston Basketball Partners, led by the Grousbeck family (2002-2025). Bought the whole team from Paul Gaston for $360M.
Open questions
- The 2028 valuation is unsettled. Axios reported $7.3B; the Boston Globe said about $6.6B in December 2025 and upwards of $7B in September 2025.
- Chisholm's exact stake is not public; league rules require at least 15%.
- Sixth Street is reported at about 12.5% and at $1B; those do not match at $6.1B.