$7.5 billion owner of Premier League club in bidding war for potential world record Boston Celtics deal
Four bidders are battling over what could be a world-record sale of the Boston Celtics.
The franchise -- worth a massive $5.66 billion according to Sportico -- will almost certainly fetch the highest price ever paid for control of an NBA team.
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Among the four potential suitors are the Friedkin Group, who recently completed their takeover of Premier League soccer club Everton.
The group, which also owns AS Roma and is led by American billionaire Dan Friedkin, acquired a majority stake in the Merseyside club last December, ending Farhad Moshiri's time in charge at Goodison Park.
Friedkin bought Serie A giants Roma in 2020 and has an estimated worth of $7.5bn.
Groups led by Philadelphia Phillies minority owner Stan Middleman, Symphony Technology Group managing partner William Chisholm, and existing Celtics investor Steve Pagliuca, also remain engaged in bidding for the Boston-based basketball team.
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According to Sportico's report, those linked to a takeover have all participated in management presentations with the Celtics, and the next round of bids is due at the end of the week.
It’s currently unclear if any of the groups are fully funded, or where they are on bid price.
While the Celtics are expected to fetch more than $5bn, they do not own their arena, which could present a unique pricing challenge for bidders.
TD Garden is owned by Delaware North, a global food service and hospitality company.
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Delaware North's CEO, Jeremy Jacobs, also owns the Boston Bruins.
As well as taking ownership of Everton and Roma, the Friedkin Group boast a portfolio that spans beyond sports, into the automotive, entertainment and hospitality industries.
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Since 2013, Dan Friedkin --who is worth a reported $7.5 billiob -- has been chairman of Auberge Resorts Collection, a portfolio of luxury resorts, hotels and vacation properties in the US, Mexico, Costa Rica, Europe, Caribbean and Fiji.
He also partnered with movie producers Tim Kring, Zak Kadison and Bradley Thomas to form Imperative Entertainment, a studio focusing on the development, production and financing of original and branded entertainment across film, television, video games, books, comics, and new media.
When taking over Everton in 2024, the Friedkin Group purchased a 98.8% stake in the club, and promised to 'restore Everton to its rightful place.'
"We are committed to leading Everton into an exciting new era both on and off the pitch," a statement from new executive chairman Marc Watts read at the time.
"Providing immediate financial stability to the Club has been a key priority, and we are delighted to have achieved this.
"While restoring Everton to its rightful place in the Premier League table will take time, today is the first step in that journey."
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Rival Celtics bidder Middleman, meanwhile, is the president and CEO of Freedom Mortgage.
He bought a 16.25% stake of the Phillies in 2023, and has explored pursuing majority control of other major sports teams, including the Cleveland Guardians and Washington Nationals.
Chisholm, whose involvement in the Celtics bid was first reported by Bloomberg, is the co-founder, managing partner, and chief investment officer of Symphony Technology Group, which had $10bn of assets under management as of 2023.
Pagliuca, who is currently a minority stakeholder in the Celtics, has expressed interest throughout the process in assuming majority control of the franchise.
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Sportico report that he was a 'near certainty' to be involved in the second round of bidding and was considered by some industry sources to be the frontrunner.
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Pagliuca declined to comment on Sportico's report, while a representative for BDT & MSD and JPMorgan Chase, the two banks hired to sell the Celtics, also declined to comment.
Reps for Symphony Technology Group, the Friedkin Group and Middleman’s Freedom Mortgage didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment, according to Sportico.
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With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there's plenty riding on the remaining games.
Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the first team to do this since 2018 if they're successful.
Meanwhile, LeBron James and Luka Dončić's Lakers are looking to win LA's first championship since 2020.
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