There’s a new rumor in the race to own the Celtics
It’s been almost two months since Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck made it known that he was going to sell his stake in the Celtics. And since then, outside of a few comments here and there, there’s been a whole lot of nothing from both inside the C’s walls and even outside of them, for that matter.
But now we have an absolute whopper of a rumor regarding a potential buyer in the mix for the Celtics, according to NBA commentator/podcast and Celtics superfan Bill Simmons.
“In the last few days, there’s been some, I think, legitimate buzz about Jeff Bezos buying the Celtics,” Simmons said on his podcast. “And I think it’s real. I think he’s going to be one of the suitors.”
Simmons also went on to note that the NBA would like to see the Celtics sold for $6 billion.
One of the richest men in the world, with a net worth of over $200 billion according to Forbes, Bezos could absolutely afford to pay $6 billion for the Celtics if that’s what ownership (and the NBA) wants. This also isn’t the first time that Bezos has been in the market for a professional sports team, with the Amazon founder previously making an unsuccessful push to own the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
When word of the Celtics’ sale first broke, Bezos was given the sixth-best odds of being the Celtics’ next owner (according to BetOnline), at 8-1. The five ahead of Bezos on that list included Larry Ellison (2-1), Steve Pagliuca (3-1), Abigail Johnson (4-1), Jeremy Jacobs (5-1), and Fenway Sports Group (6-1).
Of that group, Pagliuca is the only one with a current direct connection to the Celtics, with the Bain Capital chairman a co-owner of the C’s with Grousbeck. And Pagliuca, for what it’s worth, released a statement of his own following Grousbeck’s announcement in July.
“I am grateful and thankful for the 21-year partnership I have enjoyed with Wyc and Irv Grousbeck, the Epstein family, and all the incredible Celtics investment partners. It has been a remarkable run that resulted in two NBA Championships for the best and most passionate fans in professional basketball, capped off with an amazing duck boat parade last week in Boston,” Pagliuca said. “Along with the championships, we are most proud of the growth of our community impact efforts and the dedication of the investor group, coaches, players and staff to helping community members who are in need.”
“Being a co-investor and Managing Partner of the Celtics has been a great honor and a labor of love,” he added. “I hope to be part of the Celtics moving forward and will be a proud participant in the bidding process that has been announced today.”
Grousbeck has previously said that his family hopes to have the majority stake in the team sold by early 2025, and with the remaining shares sold by 2028.
Celtics release full 2024-25 schedule
October 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a play during the second quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Oct. 22 vs. Knicks (7:30 p.m.)
Oct. 24 @ Washington (7:00 p.m.)
Oct. 26 @ Detroit (7:00 p.m.)
Oct. 28 vs. Bucks (7:30 p.m.)
Oct. 30 @ Indiana (7:00 p.m.)
November 2024
May 11, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) brings the ball up court against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)
Nov. 1 @ Charlotte (7:00 p.m.)
Nov. 2 @ Charlotte (6:00 p.m.)
Nov. 4 @ Atlanta (7:45 p.m.)
Nov. 6 vs. Warriors (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 8 vs. Nets (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 10 @ Milwaukee (3:30 p.m.)
Nov. 12 vs. Hawks (7:00 p.m.)
Nov. 13 @ Brooklyn (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 16 vs. Raptors (8:00 p.m.)
Nov. 19 vs. Cavaliers (7:00 p.m.)
Nov. 22 @ Washington (7:00 p.m.)
Nov. 24 vs. Timberwolves (3:30 p.m.)
Nov. 25 vs. Clippers (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 29 @ Chicago (8:00 p.m.)
December 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 06: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Dec. 1 @ Cleveland (6:00 p.m.)
Dec. 2 vs. Heat (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 4 vs. Pistons (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 6 vs. Bucks (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 7 vs. Grizzlies (8:00 p.m.)
Dec. 10-17: NBA Cup tournament playoffs
Dec. 19 vs. Bulls (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 21 @ Chicago (8:00 p.m.)
Dec. 23 @ Orlando (7:00 p.m.)
Dec. 25 vs. 76ers (5:00 p.m.)
Dec. 27 vs. Pacers (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 29 vs. Pacers (6:00 p.m.)
Dec. 31 vs. Raptors (3:00 p.m.)
January 2025
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 09: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jan. 2 @ Minnesota (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 3 @ Houston (8:00 p.m.)
Jan. 5 @ Oklahoma City (3:30 p.m.)
Jan. 7 @ Denver (10:00 p.m.)
Jan. 10 vs. Kings (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 12 vs. Pelicans (6:00 p.m.)
Jan. 15 @ Toronto (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 17 vs. Magic (7:00 p.m.)
Jan. 18 vs. Hawks (7:00 p.m.)
Jan. 20 @ Golden State (5:00 p.m.)
Jan. 22 @ L.A. Clippers (10:30 p.m.)
Jan. 23 @ L.A. Lakers (10:00 p.m.)
Jan. 25 @ Dallas (5:30 p.m.)
Jan. 27 vs. Rockets (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 29 vs. Bulls (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 31 @ New Orleans (8:00 p.m.)
February 2025
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 09: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a made basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Feb. 2 @ Philadelphia (6:00 p.m.)
Feb. 4 @ Cleveland (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 6 vs. Mavericks (7:30 p.m.)
Feb. 8 @ New York (8:30 p.m.)
Feb. 10 @ Miami (7:30 p.m.)
Feb. 12 vs. Spurs (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 14-19: NBA All-Star Break
Feb. 20 @ Philadelphia (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 23 vs. Knicks (1:00 p.m.)
Feb. 25 @ Toronto (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 26 @ Detroit (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 28 vs. Cavaliers (7:30 p.m.)
March 2025
Al Horford of the Boston Celtics dribbles against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on Feb. 3, 2023. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Mar. 2 vs. Nuggets (1:00 p.m.)
Mar. 5 vs. Blazers (7:00 p.m.)
Mar. 6 vs. 76ers (7:30 p.m.)
Mar. 8 vs. Lakers (8:30 p.m.)
Mar. 10 vs. Jazz (7:30 p.m.)
Mar. 12 vs. Thunder (7:30 p.m.)
Mar. 14 @ Miami (7:00 p.m.)
Mar. 15 @ Brooklyn (6:00 p.m.)
Mar. 18 vs. Nets (7:30 p.m.)
Mar. 21 @ Utah (9:30 p.m.)
Mar. 23 @ Portland (6:00 p.m.)
Mar. 24 @ Sacramento (10:00 p.m.)
Mar. 26 @ Phoenix (10:00 p.m.)
Mar. 29 @ San Antonio (8:00 p.m.)
Mar. 31 @ Memphis (8:00 p.m.)
April 2025
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 17: Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Apr. 2 vs. Heat (7:30 p.m.)
Apr. 4 vs. Suns (7:30 p.m.)
Apr. 6 vs. Wizards (6:00 p.m.)
Apr. 8 @ New York (7:30 p.m.)
Apr. 9 @ Orlando (7:00 p.m.)
Apr. 11 vs. Hornets (7:30 p.m.)
Apr. 13 vs. Hornets (1:00 p.m.)
