Jeff Bezos is reportedly interested in buying the Boston Celtics after the team went up for sale following their NBA Finals triumph over the Dallas Mavericks in June.
After a failed attempt to take over the Washington Commanders in the NFL, the Amazon founder is reportedly switching his sights to the winningest NBA franchise.
On Monday, Bill Simmons reported and discussed the legitimacy of Bezos’ interest on his podcast.
‘In the last few days, there’s been some – I think – legitimate buzz about Jeff Bezos buying the Celtics, and I think it’s real. I think he’s gonna be one of the suitors,’ Simmons said.
‘Which got me thinking, why would Jeff Bezos, when he’s looking at the Celtics, what is he seeing? What does he want? I think the only way it makes sense — I mean, granted, he has a gazillion dollars — but it’s one of the crown-jewel franchises, right?’
Amazon chief Jeff Bezos is reportedly interested in buying the Boston Celtics franchise
‘That’s why you get it. To him it’d be no different than if he bought this famous, gigantic, $300 million yacht,’ Simmons added. ‘But I think it’s real that he’s potentially in the mix for this.’
Simmons also noted that the Celtics want to sell for $6billion to fulfill their target for expansion teams.
‘It’s a crazy price, but they’re probably gonna get it,’ Simmons said. ‘They want the $6 billion because they want expansion teams in Seattle and Vegas — and Mexico City’s kind of looming as the third team — but they want to get $6 billion apiece for the two franchises for expansion, which would mean a check of $400 million to every NBA owner, all 30.’
After besting the Mavs in five games to win their 18th NBA title, Celtics ownership announced putting the team on the market for ‘estate and family planning considerations,’ with the expectation that selling majority of the team would happen this year or early 2025, and the rest of the franchise being bought in 2028.
Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck wants to stay involved until the team is fully sold
The Celtics won their 18th franchise title after besting the Dallas Mavericks in five games
The Celtics will try to sell for $6billion to help with the NBA’s expansion plans
Grousbeck lifts the Larry O’Brien trophy after the Celtics won the NBA Finals series in June
Earlier in August, the New York Post reported that Fenway Sports Group is also interested in entering the sweepstakes for the reigning champs.
‘The expectation is to sell the time in two parts with 51 percent going fairly soon, 49 percent then closing in second closing. That’s the expectation in 2028,’ team governor, Wyc Grousbeck told CNBC last month.
‘I’m planning or expecting to stay on until 2028. We’re going to hire bankers and advisers. This is going to be quite the bidding process.’
Grousbeck has been running the Celtics for his father Irv.
Meanwhile, minority owner Steve Pagliuca will also bid to become the team’s majority owner.
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