Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly interested in buying the Boston Celtics, according to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons.
The NBA is reportedly seeking $6 billion with an eye on expansion.
“It’s a crazy price because they don’t own the arena, but they’ll probably get it,” Simmons said. “So that’s it. The reason they want $6 billion is because they want expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas. Mexico City has been floated as a third team, but they want $6 billion per team… So that’s $400 million checks to all 30 NBA owners. They’re trying to lock in the price with the Celtics.”
Irving Grousbeck, father of current Celtics largest shareholder Wyck Grousbeck, is said to be “driving the sale” and “he just wants the highest price,” which is certainly achievable as the world’s second-richest person after Elon Musk.
As currently constructed, the Celtics will be paying more than $200 million in payroll each of the next four seasons and will be a luxury tax team for years to come.
Jayson Tatum recently signed a five-year contract worth $315 million, the richest in NBA history, while Jaylen Brown signed a five-year contract through 2023 worth $303.7 million.