When news broke Bill Chisholm was set to buy the Celtics for a then-record $6.1 billion, it thrust him into the spotlight. But it turns out, he almost didn’t end up landing his childhood team.
Per The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, four ownership groups placed bids for the Celtics “with the clear instructions that all that mattered was the highest number.” Chisholm’s $6.1 billion price tag won in the end, but it only outbid second place by less than $100 million in the blind auction, per Vorkunov.
“It’s unlike any other investment or anything really,” Chisholm told Vorkunov. “Truly once in a lifetime thing.”
Chisholm was one of four finalists along with former Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca, Phillies minority owner Stan Middleman and the Friedkin Group. All the finalists got to meet with key Celtics leadership, including Brad Stevens, team president Rich Gotham and head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Chisholm’s $6.1 billion offer was just higher than the second-place bidder, believed to be Middleman, who was at more than $6 billion. Pagliuca, who was considered a favorite during the process, offered $5.5 billion for the Celtics, per Vorkunov.
News broke that Chisholm was the new Celtics owner back in March. The NBA Board of Governors approved the sale in August to Chisholm’s ownership group. Former governor Wyc Grousbeck is also part of the group and has been at Celtics games throughout the season.
Chisholm has also been at numerous games at TD Garden this year, sitting courtside near the C’s bench. He’s a Georgetown native and grew up at a Celtics fan, so he said there was a thrill to purchasing his favorite team.
“The adrenaline rush almost knocked me out,” Chisholm said. “I don’t even like to think of if I hadn’t won.”