Celtics
Pagliuca, saddened to learn that his bid was not selected, said he'll be ready to step in if the deal doesn't go through.
Celtics Steve Pagliuca
Steve Pagliuca (right), Wyc Grousbeck, and Jayson Tatum look on during the Celtics' opening night ring ceremony. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
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#### Celtics' $6.1 billion sale is largest in North American sports history. Here’s the Top 10.
Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca issued a statement on social media platform X Thursday about the reported news of the Celtics’ sale.
The Celtics’ ownership group, Boston Basketball Partners, agreed to sell the franchise to a group of investors led by Symphony Technology Group co-founder William Chisholm.
Pagliuca was one of four finalists in the bidding process, but his bid was not selected.
His statement reads as follows:
“Since the Grousbeck family announced it would sell the Boston Celtics almost nine months ago,” Pagliuca wrote. “I have worked tirelessly to put together a strong bid centered around the great majority of existing owners of the team who understand and appreciate what it means to be a steward of the Boston Celtics, a team steeped in championship tradition.”
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“Additionally, I recruited new partners with deep resources and expertise in technology and international markets to maximize the Celtics’ successes to ensure we can always compete for championships, luxury taxes be damned.”
“We made a fully guaranteed and financed offer at a record price, befitting the best sports fans int he world and with all the capital coming from individuals who ae committed to winning on and off the court. We had no debt or private equity money that would potentially hamstring our ability to compete in the future. We have felt it was the best offer for the Celtics. It is a bid of true fans, deeply connected to Boston’s community, and we’ve been saddened to find out we have not been selected in the process.”
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“I want to thank all of the players and fans over the many years that have supported us in rebuilding the team and winning two championships. We couldn’t have done any of this without you. As the grandson of Italian immigrants with only their willingness to work hard to be part of the American dream, I am thankful that I have been able to be part of the Celtics’ history and legacy and I will be forever grateful for all the memories along the way.”
“As Red Auerbach said, “The Celtics are not just a basketball team, but a way of life” and my family and I will continue to be lifelong fans and cherish the honor of being part of the organization for so many years. I will never stop being a Celtic and if the announced transaction does not end up being finalized, my partners and I are ready to check back into the game and bring it home, to help continue what the Celtics do best – win. Let’s go Celtics!”
Profile image for Khari A. Thompson
Khari A. Thompson
Sports Reporter
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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