A reported rift within the family that owns the Boston Celtics has led to the team’s patriarch demanding his son sell the iconic franchise, sources close to the situation have revealed. The 90-year-old entrepreneur, who holds a controlling 20% stake in the team, is said to be unhappy with the massive contracts that helped the Celtics win a record 18th NBA championship last season.
The team’s priciest roster, assembled by the patriarch’s 63-year-old son, is projected to cost around $500 million for the 2025-26 season. The son, who owns a 3% stake but is the front-facing owner, announced the surprise decision to put the team up for sale shortly after winning the NBA title.
Sources close to the sale process claim the team barely broke even last season and is expected to lose around $80 million due to luxury tax fines for being over the salary cap in the upcoming season. This figure is likely to rise significantly in the 2025-26 season when harsher salary cap fines kick in.
The reported reason for the sale is a disagreement between the father and son over the team’s finances, with the patriarch unhappy about funding big losses on the horizon. However, the son has denied this, citing estate planning reasons for the sale.
Fans have been left stunned by the news, with many wondering why the team’s ownership group would want to sell after winning a championship. Some have speculated that the real reason for the sale is the massive financial burden of the team’s roster, which includes several big-name players on max contracts.
One fan wrote, “What better way for the owner to go out as a legend than to spend whatever it took to build this team and then throw a bunch of max extensions out there that he knows he’s not going to have to pay? What a move.”
However, others have been more critical, saying that the patriarch’s concerns about losing money are misplaced. “You’re already a billionaire, who cares if you’re going to lose $80M+ once the salaries start to kick in? If it brings you more titles, isn’t that the whole point???”
As the sale process continues, fans are left hoping that the next owner will be willing to spend big to keep the team’s current roster together and continue its winning ways.
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