Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly interested in buying the Boston Celtics, according to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons.
The NBA is apparently seeking $6 billion with an eye toward expansion.
“They don’t own the arena, so it’s a crazy price but they’re probably going to get it,” Simmons said. “So there’s that. They want the $6 billion because they want expansion teams in Seattle and Vegas, and Mexico City is kind of looming as a third team, but they want to get $6 billion a piece … which means a check for $400 million to every NBA owner, all 30. They’re trying to establish the price with this Celtics.”
Irving Grousbeck, the father of current Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck, is said to be “driving the sale,” and “he just wants the highest price,” something the second richest man in the world to only Elon Musk could certainly meet.
The Celtics, as currently constructed, will have over $200 million in salaries in each of the next four seasons, which will make them a luxury-tax-paying team for years to come.
Jayson Tatum recently signed a five-year deal worth up to $315 million — the biggest contract in NBA history. Jaylen Brown signed a five-year deal worth up to $303.7 million in 2023.
