LA Lakers star LeBron James could become a co-owner of the Boston Celtics, according to a new report.
James has owned a stake in Liverpool (who are owned by Fenway Sports Group) since 2011, and further became a partner in FSG in 2021, giving him ownership in the Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins as well.
Now, the New York Post is reporting that FSG and RedBird Capital (who are also closely associated with the four-time NBA champ) are considering bidding for the Celtics.
Boston won an NBA-record 18th title in June when they defeated the Dallas Mavericks, but owner Wyc Grousbeck surprised fans shortly after by announcing that he was selling the team.
The franchise is seeking $6billion in the sale, sources told The Post.
LeBron James could become an owner of the Boston Celtics through Fenway Sports Group
Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck (center) announced he was selling the team after it won the 2023-24 championship
James, 39, is still going strong for the Lakers and would not be able to own a stake in the Celtics while still an active player.
However, the sale is reportedly expected to be a two-step process – with the final 49 percent of the franchise not sold until 2028.
By that time, it’s likely that a 43-year-old James would be done playing and would be able to be involved with the Celtics.
James has also expressed a desire to start his own franchise, an expansion team in Las Vegas.
According to The Post, FSG and RedBird are currently part of the Vegas process, but the consortium ‘would likely move on’ from that plan if they actually went ahead and bought the Celtics.
James has been an owner of Liverpool since 2011. He holds a stake in the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins too.
The publication also named Celtics minority owner Stephen Pagliuca as a potential buyer of the NBA team.
Grousbeck, as he said in a previous interview with CNBC, is putting up 51 percent of the team for sale now and the remaining 49 percent when he steps down as the team’s controlling owner around 2028.
James is currently playing with two Celtics players at the Olympics in Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, with Team USA set to play for the gold medal vs. France on Saturday.
‘The King’ has also enjoyed great success vs. the Celtics in his career, as he’s averaged 28.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 59 regular season contests.
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