The world’s second-richest man, Jeff Bezos, is reportedly interested in buying the Boston Celtics, according to Bill Simmons of The Ringer. Bezos, the Amazon founder with an estimated net worth of $196.7 billion, has set his sights on the historic NBA franchise, marking his latest move in a bid to build a sports empire.
Simmons revealed on his podcast that there has been “legitimate buzz” about Bezos entering the race to buy the Celtics, adding that it’s a serious possibility. “To him, it’d be no different than if he bought this famous, gigantic, $300 million yacht,” Simmons said, underscoring the allure of owning one of the NBA’s crown jewels.
The Celtics’ ownership announced on July 1 their intention to sell the franchise, just two weeks after securing their record 18th NBA championship. The decision to sell was reportedly driven by Irving Grousbeck, the 90-year-old father of current governor Wyc Grousbeck, who is looking to sell to the highest bidder.
The NBA has set a target price of $6 billion for the Celtics, which aligns with their goal for future expansion teams in Seattle, Las Vegas, and potentially Mexico City. This hefty price tag reflects the recent surge in NBA franchise values, with teams like the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks fetching multi-billion-dollar figures in recent sales.
Bezos, who recently lost out on purchasing the NFL’s Washington Commanders, is now looking to secure his first major sports team. Despite speculation that former Commanders owner Daniel Snyder might have been reluctant to sell to Bezos due to his ownership of The Washington Post, it was ultimately Josh Harris who outbid Bezos, securing the Commanders for a record $6.05 billion.
Statement from Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, who says he intends to be “a proud participant in the bidding process.” pic.twitter.com/E7o6e6sgts
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 1, 2024
If Bezos does enter the bidding for the Celtics, he’ll face stiff competition. Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox and counts NBA superstar LeBron James among its partners, is expected to be a major player in the race. Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca has also declared his intention to bid for majority ownership, further intensifying the competition.
Wyc Grousbeck, speaking to CNBC, outlined plans to sell the franchise in two parts, with 51 percent being sold first, followed by the remaining 49 percent by 2028. As the Celtics prepare to enter a new era, the bidding process promises to be one of the most intense in sports history.
For Bezos, acquiring the Celtics would be more than just a business move—it would be a statement of intent, a signal that he is ready to become a major player in the world of professional sports. With his Amazon Prime platform set to begin streaming NBA games in 2025, Bezos’ potential ownership of one of the league’s most storied franchises could mark the beginning of a new chapter for both the Celtics and the NBA.
Boston @celtics Governor and Majority Owner Wyc Grousbeck joins us exclusively to discuss the ownership group's decision to sell the team fresh off an @NBA record 18th world championship: pic.twitter.com/exD3vW8cHt
— CNBC's Closing Bell (@CNBCClosingBell) July 8, 2024
