The final four in regards to the upcoming sale of the Boston Celtics reportedly is set.
According to Sportico, the Friedkin Group, Philadelphia Phillies minority owner Stan Middleman, Symphony Technology Group managing partner William Chisholm and current Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca are the finalists to buy the Celtics.
The finalists could be cut down even further in the coming days with the next round of bids due at the end of this week, per Sportico.
Pagliuca, who announced his intentions to try to buy the Celtics when the Grousbecks put them up for sale in July, is “viewed by many in the industry as a front-runner to land the team given his insider status.”
The Friedkin Group, which is based in Texas, has a background in sports ownership as well as the automotive, entertainment and hospitality industries. The Friedkin Group owns two marquee soccer franchises overseas in AS Roma and English Premier League club Everton, which it bought in December 2024. Dan Friedkin, the CEO and owner, is worth $7.5 billion, per Forbes.
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Middleman’s interest in professional sports ownership is evident given his $16.25% stake in the Phillies that he received in 2023. Middleman, who is the president and CEO of Freedom Mortgage, reportedly also tried to pursue stakes in other MLB franchises, including the Cleveland Guardians and Washington Nationals.
Chisholm operates a private equity firm in Menlo Park, Calif. According to Sportico, STG’s portfolio contains $10 billion in assets that it oversees.
The sale of the Celtics is expected to take place in two parts with the new owner getting 51% of the company in 2025 and rest of the sale to be completed in 2028.
Sportico estimated that the Celtics are worth $5.66 billion as it is looking like they will land a record price in the sale of the organization.
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