After a failed pursuit of the NFL’s Washington Commanders, Jeff Bezos has turned his eyes to one of the NBA’s top franchises.
The Amazon founder is interested in buying the Boston Celtics, Bill Simmons said Monday on his podcast, with the Grousbeck family wanting to sell the team after it won an NBA championship in June.
“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 gajillion dollars — but it’s one of the crown-jewel franchises, right? That’s why you get it. To him it’d be no different than if he bought this famous, gigantic, $300 million yacht. But I think it’s real that he’s potentially in the mix for this.”
Simmons also said the NBA wants the Celtics to sell for $6 billion, as that is their target fee 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.”
Jeff Bezos (r.) with fiancee Lauren Sanchez (l.) at the Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference in Idaho on July 10, 2024. REUTERS
Jayson Tatum (c.) holds the Larry O’Brien Trophy alongside Jaylen Brown (r.) and Kristaps Porzingis (l.) after the Celtics win the NBA championship on June 17, 2024. AP
While there were some questions about whether Dan Snyder would be willing to sell the Commanders to Bezos, the Financial Times reported in June that Bezos was “simply outbid” by Josh Harris, the Devils and 76ers owner who bought the NFL team for $6.05 billion.
Celtics ownership announced on July 1 its intention to sell the team “for estate and family planning considerations,” with the expectation that a sale of a majority of the team would happen this year or early 2025, with the rest of the team being sold in 2028.
The Post reported earlier this month that Fenway Sports Group also had interest in purchasing the Celtics.
Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck (r.) holds the Larry O’Brien Trophy alongside wife Emilia Fazzalari (l.) at the ESPYs on July 11, 2024. WireImage
Bill Simmons speaks during “The Bill Simmons podcast” on Aug. 19, 2024. YouTube/Bill SimmonsWyc Grousbeck, who’s been the team’s governor, running the Celtics for his father, Irv, wants to remain in that role until the team is fully sold in four years.
“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,” 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.”
Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca will be bidding to become the team’s majority owner.
