The finalization of the sale of the Celtics will see Bill Chisholm immediately become the lead governor of the team, while Wyc Grousbeck will serve as alternate governor and CEO, but the two mentioned that these alterations “would have minimal impact on their initial plan,” according to Adam Himmelsbach of the BOSTON GLOBE. The original plan would have seen Grousbeck remain as lead governor, but Chisholm said, “The day-to-day operational approach here is the same as it ever was. Wyc and I are arm in arm here leading the charge with the Celtics. Frankly, the change that needed to be made was more of a league issue.” Himmelsbach notes the team’s roster has “undergone a substantial overhaul” since Chisholm agreed to buy the team. Celtics President/Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has worked to get the Celtics “below the second apron and put the franchise in position to also dip below the luxury tax,” helping eventually “reset extremely costly repeater taxes that are activated when a team is above the tax line in three of four seasons.” Chisholm added that the long-term vision has “not been interrupted by this temporary reset.” He said, “We’re not playing for second; we’re playing for championships and banners.” Chisholm: “The second apron means you can’t do it by just throwing money at the problem” (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/19).
WHAT’S AHEAD: Grousbeck said that he can “already tell that Chisholm understands the significance of owning one of the NBA’s charter franchises.” Grousbeck: “It’s an unbelievable responsibility, and an unbelievable thrill. But it’s a huge challenge because the greats built it. And we’re just here trying to maintain the legacy, which is a great honor” (AP, 8/19). In Massachusetts, Souichi Terada noted former Celtics owner Steve Pagliuca released a statement yesterday reflecting on the “past 23 years and the good memories, along with wishing the new ownership group luck going forward.” Pagliuca said as part of the transition period, “my family will retain an investment interest in the team for the next three years” (MASSLIVE.com, 8/19).
