BREAKING : Boston Celtics SOLD for Record Breaking $6.1 billion

You read the title correctly. In a far from expected blockbuster deal, the reigning champs have been sold in a $6.1 billion (estimated to rise to $6.7 billion) deal, surpassing Josh Harris' purchase of the Washington Commanders as the largest sports franchise transaction in recent history, sending shockwaves through the league and leaving Celtics fans and analysts alike scrambling for more details.

Here's what we know.

The buyer, William "Bill" Chisholm made sports history, but is he a sports guy himself? According to Chisholm, he "lives and breathes" the Celtics, and the decision to purchase the team has been in the works for nearly fifty years, which was when he went attended his first NBA game at the garden. He's been hooked ever since.

In his role as an investor, Chisholm personally manages Symphony Technology Group (STG), a private equity firm in Menlo Park that supervises approximately $10 billion in assets and is dedicated to growing software-focused companies.

Should Celtics fans be worried? Things look safe for the time being. Chisholm is also a massive supporter of head coach Joe Mazzulla and de facto general manager Brad Stevens, expressing that they've been vital to producing winning basketball and remain essential to the team's future.

While this decision to put the team under new ownership seems out of the blue, the purchase been in the works since last summer when the Celtics' ownership group, Boston Basketball Partners LLC., sold away its core. The owner, Wyc Grousbeck states that Chisholm was the perfect candidate and that he "checks every box".

This purchase could also speed up the timeline for NBA expansion. For fifteen years, fans have desperately craved a Seattle Supersonics return. Encouraged by the unexpected, the league may now move forward with previously stagnant discussions to add more teams. Seattle remains at the top of the list, and the potential revenue boost promises an exciting new era for NBA fans without hometown teams.

Despite no direct media address, Chisholm underscored the team’s connection to the Boston area—and his own determination to add more championships at TD Garden as the root of his passion. In an exclusive conversation with inside Shams Charania, Chisolm stated just how much this purchase meant to him.

"It's a dream come true. I have had to pinch myself. This is the best sports franchise in the world -- not just the United States and not just basketball. It's the winningest team in the U.S. and the quality of what's here is unmatched. I think about the potential and the legacy here, and I personally feel like I got a bargain. I'm a fan. That's the most important thing. I bleed green. I'm up for the challenge."

All Celtics fans can do right now is brace themselves for this next chapter in franchise and trust that the new leadership will preserve the Celtics’ core. While many of. the details still remain scarce, the unwavering support of Boston’s fan base stands ready to embrace any changes ahead.

Between you and me, I think we're in good hands.

Until next time,