Himmelsbach described Chisholm as a “longtime Celtics fan.” His Massachusetts ties will help ease the concerns that always come up with an ownership change. There are never any guarantees the new regime will be an improvement over the old one.

The sale comes at a time when valuations for teams continue to soar across the sports spectrum. Mat Ishbia buying the Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury for $4 billion in 2022 set a new standard considering the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx went for just $1.5 billion a year earlier.

With the NBA specifically, the timing has never been better to get out of the ownership business. Sure, teams are making money hand over fist thanks to new media rights deals that run through 2035-36, but the costs are increasing in tandem with revenues.

The collective bargaining agreement has also complicated the process of maintaining a championship contender for multiple seasons.

In the case of Boston, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will combine to make $120 million by themselves within a few years. The front office will also have to weigh extensions for Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, all of whom played important roles on the 2024 championship squad.

Grousbeck’s ownership group purchased the Celtics for $360 million in 2002. Selling up for $6.1 billion is a pretty easy call when you consider what it will cost to keep running the franchise moving forward.
Grousbeck won’t have to worry about being the team owner who broke up a title-winning roster, either, if it comes to that.