Jeff Bezos is reportedly interested in purchasing the Boston Celtics, according to Bill Simmons.
Simmons shared the news, noting that there has been credible buzz around Bezos potentially buying the team.
Bezos, one of the world’s richest individuals, is seen as a serious suitor for the Celtics, a franchise considered one of the NBA’s crown jewels.
Simmons likened Bezos’s interest in the Celtics to acquiring a luxurious asset, such as a $300 million yacht.
“In the last few days there’s been some I think legitimate buzz about Jeff Bezos buying the Celtics, and I think it’s real,” he said.
Wyc Grousbeck, the Celtics’ majority owner and governor, has announced his intention to sell the team in two phases.
Grousbeck plans to sell a 51% stake in the team by early 2025. The remaining 49% stake will be sold in a second transaction scheduled for 2028. Grousbeck will remain as team governor until the final sale is completed.
The sale is driven by estate and family planning needs, as Grousbeck aims to divest his controlling interest in the team.
Since purchasing the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million, Grousbeck has overseen a significant increase in the team’s valuation, now estimated at $4.7 billion.
The decision to sell is also influenced by financial considerations, as maintaining the team’s competitive roster and luxury tax payments have become increasingly challenging.
