Why NBA Feels ‘Anxious’ Over Upcoming Celtics Sale

The upcoming sale of the Boston Celtics still looms over the illustrious franchise even as they ready for another deep playoff run.

The four finalists in the bidding for the Celtics were revealed last week, but it’s unclear exactly when a new owner will take over for the Grousbeck family. It was reported in mid-January that the Grousbecks are eyeing a “first close” this spring.

With a deal still not finalized, though, it’s making those in the league office nervous over the situation, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix.

“I’ve talked to league people about this, talked to (NBA commissioner) Adam Silver about this at times, they’re anxious to get something done with Boston because they want to expand,” Mannix said Wednesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Felger and Mazz” show. “And they can’t expand to Vegas and Seattle until they know the number for the Celtics. They need to know what they’re dealing with financially before they can go to expansion.”

Sportico estimated the Celtics to be worth $5.66 billion, and if the Grousbecks get that amount, it would set an NBA record.

Current Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca is viewed as the front-runner by Mannix and others while the Friedkin Group, Philadelphia Phillies minority owner Stan Middleman and Symphony Technology Group managing partner William Chisholm are also in the running.

“Steve is no idiot. Him and whoever he has as investors are not going to go above between $5 and $6 billion for a team that doesn’t own their own arena,” Mannix said. “There’s a math problem here with the Celtics, where, yeah, they’re an iconic franchise, but are they worth the money that the Grousbeck family is looking for?”

Mannix said he doesn’t expect that a deal is “imminent” or for it to happen over “next couple of months.”

The Celtics were put up for sale in July of last year, just two weeks after they claimed the NBA title. The Grousbecks are expected to sell a 51% stake in the team in 2025 before completely giving way in 2028.