Jeffrey Lurie gives his own thoughts on potentially buying Celtics
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie recently emerged as a candidate to buy the Boston Celtics. But Lurie himself doesn’t sound particularly interested.
Lurie was asked directly about potentially purchasing the Celtics during Super Bowl Opening Night in New Orleans, after Bill Simmons recently said on his podcast that Lurie had “made the first round” of prospective buyers. Even if that were true, Lurie’s own comments indicate that his interest won’t get past that point.
“No, I’m not really interested in acquiring another sports team,” Lurie said (via NBC Sports Philadelphia). I think it’s connected, because [the Celtics are] my childhood team. I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for their whole culture. I sort of see it as like a kindred soul in the NBA. Wyc [Grousbeck] is an outstanding owner. I love the way they’ve developed that team. We got to celebrate so many banners over the years.
“[Buying the Celtics is] not something that’s at top of mind. My whole focus is on my love of the Eagles and to win another Super Bowl for Philadelphia. I’m obsessed, as you know, and that’s where it all comes from.”
Lurie’s comment doesn’t necessarily shoot down Simmons’ report that he made the first round of potential buyers for the Celtics. So, it’s possible that he tried to make a run at the C’s, and has since reversed course. He certainly wouldn’t want to acknowledge any real interest in buying a Boston team while he’s at the Super Bowl for his Philadelphia-based team, anyway.
Lurie, a Boston native who got his education at Clark University in Worcester, then Boston University and Brandeis University in Waltham, still makes logical sense as a prospective buyer for the Celtics. But it sounds like he’s doing his best to keep his focus on the Eagles. The Philadelphia Eagles, that is.
Whoever remains in the running for the Celtics, it doesn’t sound like Lurie is among that group.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
