Steve Pagliuca is one of four finalists to purchase the Celtics, according to a Sportico report.
Steve Pagliuca is one of four finalists to purchase the Celtics, according to a Sportico report.Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
Four finalists have emerged in the bidding process to purchase the Celtics, according to a Sportico report Wednesday.
The list includes Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, Philadelphia Phillies co-owner Stan Middleman, Symphony Technology Group managing partner William Chisholm, and The Friedkin Group, according to the report. The report also stated that the next round of bids is due next week.
In a text message Wednesday, Celtics lead governor Wyc Grousbeck declined to comment on the list of potential suitors. The Celtics ownership group was expected to receive the first round of bids from prospective buyers Jan. 23, according to a letter to stakeholders previously obtained by the Globe, with a “first close” targeted for this spring. The final sale price is expected to exceed $6 billion.
Pagliuca, who owns the second-largest stake in the Celtics and was part of the Boston Basketball Partners group that purchased the team for $360 million in 2002, is the only person who has publicly stated his intention to be part of the bidding process.
The Friedkin Group’s diverse portfolio includes holdings in the sports, entertainment, automotive, and hospitality industries. In August 2020, the group purchased the Italian soccer club AS Roma, and last December it added a majority stake in the English Premier League soccer club Everton.
Chisholm, a Dartmouth graduate, is the managing director and co-founder of Symphony Technology Group, a California-based private equity firm. He previously co-founded The Valent Group.
Middleman, a Philadelphia native, is the president and CEO of Freedom Mortgage. He purchased a 16 percent stake in the Phillies in 2023 and is believed to hold the third-largest share of the team.
When the Celtics being up for sale was announced last July, the Grousbeck family said it intended to sell 51 percent of the team in late 2024 or early 2025, with the balance closing in 2028, with Wyc Grousbeck remaining in control until then. Grousbeck has reiterated that stance several times, but it remains to be seen if a prospective buyer will agree to those terms.
The Grousbeck family is selling the team for estate and family planning considerations.
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.