BOSTON — Isa sa pinakakilalang franchises sa kasaysayan ng NBA, ang Boston Celtics, ay nakatakdang magkaroon ng bagong may-ari sa isang record-breaking na deal na nagkakahalaga ng $6.1 billion—ang pinakamataas na presyo na naibayad para sa isang American professional sports team.

Ang private equity executive na si William “Bill” Chisholm ang nakatakdang bumili ng team. Ang kasunduan, na kailangang aprubahan ng NBA Board of Governors ngayong summer, ay malalampasan ang $6.05 billion na binayad para sa pagbili ng Washington Commanders ng NFL noong 2023.

Si Chisholm, isang taga-Massachusetts at matagal nang Celtics fan, ay kasalukuyang managing partner ng Symphony Technology Group, isang private equity firm sa California. Ang kanyang grupo ng mga bagong may-ari ay kinabibilangan ng Boston businessman Rob Hale, isang current minority shareholder ng Celtics, at Bruce Beal Jr.

“Growing up on the North Shore and attending college in New England, I have been a die-hard Celtics fan my entire life,” pahayag ni Chisholm. “I understand how important the Celtics are to the city of Boston—the role the team plays in the community is different than any other city in the country. 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.”

Ang kasalukuyang may-ari ng Celtics na si Wyc Grousbeck, na nanguna sa pagbili ng team noong 2002 sa halagang $360 million, ay inanyayahang manatili bilang CEO at Governor sa loob ng tatlong season.

“Bill is a terrific person and a true Celtics fan, born and raised here in the Boston area,” ayon kay Grousbeck. “His love for the team and the city of Boston, along with his chemistry with the rest of the Celtics leadership, make him a natural choice to be the next Governor and controlling owner of the team.”

Ang kasunduan ay isang two-part sale, kung saan makukuha ni Chisholm ang hindi bababa sa 51% ng team matapos ang pag-apruba ng NBA. Ang natitirang shares ay magiging available para ibenta bago ang 2028 sa isang mas mataas na halaga, na maaaring magtulak sa kabuuang halaga ng team sa $7.3 billion.

Matapos makuha ang kanilang ika-18 NBA championship noong Hunyo 2023, muling contender ang Celtics ngayong season sa pangunguna ng mga superstars Jayson Tatum at Jaylen Brown.

Iniulat na natalo ni Chisholm ang iba pang interesadong buyers, kabilang ang isang grupo na pinangunahan ng Celtics minority owner na si Steve Pagliuca, na nagpahayag ng pagkadismaya sa hindi pagpili sa kanila.

“My partners and I are ready to check back into the game if the announced transaction does not end up being finalized,” ani Pagliuca.

Ang Celtics ay may mahabang kasaysayan ng tagumpay, na kinabibilangan ng mga Hall of Fame legends gaya nina Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, at Bob Cousy. Handang ipagpatuloy ni Chisholm ang kanilang legacy.

“My partners and I have immense respect for Wyc, the entire Grousbeck family, and their indelible contributions to the Celtics organization over the last 23 years," ani Chisholm. "We look forward to learning from Wyc and partnering with Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla, and the talented team and staff to build upon their success as we work to bring more championships home to Boston.”