Celtics
William Chisholm has reportedly been “curating” a group of investors as he attempts to finalize the deal.
The Grousbeck family has an agreement in place with Symphony Technology Group co-founder William Chisholm, in which Chisholm is expected to purchase the Boston Celtics for a record $6.1 billion.
The deal, which was announced in March, is still pending league approval. And, as Shirley Leung of the Boston Globe explained in a recent column, Chisholm is one of many investors who will make up the new ownership group.
Chisholm, as lead governor, would have to own at least 15 percent of the team according to NBA rules. Aditya Mittal, CEO of steel giant ArcelorMittal, has reportedly committed a $1 billion dollar investment in the team and is expected to become an alternate governor.
According to the Globe, Chisholm has been “curating” a group of around two dozen investors over the last few months.
Here are the names Leung mentioned, along with some brief notes on their roles and backgrounds.
William Chisholm
Role: Lead governor
Background: Co-founder, managing partner, chief investment officer of STG
Notes: Chisholm submitted the winning bid to buy the Celtics in the spring. The Georgetown, Mass. native and Dartmouth College alum leads STG’s investment activities. He will be the majority stakeholder of the team.
On a separate but related note: Sixth Street, a private equity company that Chisholm’s firm has a history of making deals with, will reportedly contribute $1 billion and become part of the team’s ownership group. Leung wrote that Chisholm “anchored his bid” with Sixth Street.
Aditya Mittal
Role: Alternate governor
Background: CEO of ArcelorMittal
Notes: Mittal’s family has been in the steel business for generations.
His father, ArcelorMittal chairman Lakshmi Mittal, is No. 103 on the 2025 Forbes World’s Billionaires list with a reported net worth of $19.2 billion.
The father and son run one of the world’s largest steel companies. Aditya Mittal will eventually become an alternate governor of the Celtics, according to Leung.
Wyc Grousbeck
Role: Governor (until 2028)
Background: Son of previous lead owner H. Irving Grousbeck. Team CEO and governor during previous ownership group.
Notes: Grousbeck has what Leung called an “unusual” arrangement with Chisholm, who is allowing him to stay on as governor for a few years after the sale is completed.
Grousbeck has been the public face of the ownership group for years, with his father holding the largest stake in the team.
He has will reportedly stay on as a shareholder with the new group.
Steve Pagliuca
Role: Unclear at the moment
Background: Senior advisor, Bain Captial. Managing partner and co-owner of the Celtics in the previous group.
Notes: Pagliuca, the former co-chairman of Bain Capital was a co-owner in the previous group. He wanted to enlarge his stake and become lead governor but was outbid by Chisholm.
It’s unclear at the moment what capacity he will serve in the next ownership group, if he comes back.
He released a statement after the sale was announced saying that he was saddened that his offer was not selected and that he’ll be ready to try again if the deal ends up falling through.
Bruce Beal Jr.
Role: Minority stakeholder
Background: President of Related Companies. Vice chairman/partner of the Miami Dolphins.
Notes: Beal is president of the real estate company, Related, that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross founded. The pair have been real estate partners for years, according to Leung. Beal owns a minority stake in the Dolphins, and his real estate experience could come in handy if the Celtics decide to build a new arena.
Robert Hale
Role: Minority stakeholder
Background: Founder/President of Granite Telecommunications
Notes: Hale, who founded Granite in 2002, was a minority stakeholder in the previous group. He and Beal, who both met Chisholm through the sale process, were announced as part of the new ownership group at the time of the sale.
Robert Epstein
Role: Managing partner
Background: Co-founder of The Abbey Group.
Notes: According to it’s website, The Abbey Group is a managing partner of the Celtics. The real estate company was co-founded by brothers Robert and David Epstein. Leung wrote that the Epstein brothers, along with the Wyc Grousbeck and Pagliuca, are the “big three” of the previous ownership group.
Robert’s daughter, Jessica Epstein, “seemed to indicate” that her family was leaving the Celtics during a podcast last month.
Paul Edgerley and John Connaughton
Role: Minority stakeholders
Notes: Chisholm has reportedly offered current Celtics minority shareholders, including he opportunity to stay on, and “many” including Wyc Grousbeck, Edgerley, and Connaughton, are expected to do so.
Sign up for Celtics updates🏀
Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during basketball season.