For 21 years, the Grousbeck family strived to achieve glory in Boston. Through the Celtics, they added two titles, most recently claiming a record 18th. It didn’t matter if they had to spend money and their balance sheet showed red at the end of the year. “We are unconcerned by that” Wyc Grousbeck said at the time. But how many millions would have to be shed before the concern does occur? For Irving Grousbeck, it was right after the championship.

With the franchise put on sale, initially, the reasons presented were for ‘real estate and planning purposes’. The Post though heard something completely different. The Celtics’ climbing luxury tax bill, which sits at approximately $65 million this season infuriated the senior Grousbeck. As per the report, it led to a major family rift that is believed to be the reason they decided to put a ‘for sale’ sign over their expensive investment.

To be very honest, the math behind it does seem to be the right decision. Maybe next season’s tax bill won’t put a fat dent. However, in the 2025-26 season, due to their repeater offense, the luxury tax estimate alone is said to be over $250 million. It’s majorly due to the exorbitant contracts they offered to their thriving tandem of Jayson Tatum and Brown totaling over $600 million.

Their payroll unsurprisingly will rank as the highest in the NBA. In all, they will be paying upwards of $500 million with only 11 contracted players on the roster. Last season, even after a chip, they barely broke even. The following season isn’t going to be so easy especially because they don’t own the TD Garden like the Knicks with James Dolan’s MSG Entertainment owing the arena or even the Intuit Dome the Clippers will use from next season. Hence, there is no cash inflow from the various non-basketball events held during the calendar year at the arena.

Luckily, due to the inflated media rights deal and their recent triumph, the Grousbeck family stands to make an enormous profit from the sale. The catch though is which owners are willing to lend a limitless supply of money.

The battle over the Celtics’ valuation

At the time the Shamrocks were put on the market, their value was estimated to be $4.7 billion. Likewise, the league will demand a higher price for the sale. As per The Post, Silver is eyeing a $6 billion valuation, the most expensive sale in the history of the NBA. But is it a realistic figure?

If anything is certain is that over the next few years, the Celtics will hardly make profits, if at all any. Furthermore, not having ownership of their arena blocks a major income stream. So if a prospective owner were to accept a $6 billion price tag, their pockets would need to be deep enough to survive gigantic losses.

On the flip side though, due to the new media rights deal injecting lucrative money back into the league, the team valuations are said to rise dramatically. That could be among the aims of any new suitor that comes in, a clever business decision. But the chances of it hitting $6 billion seem bleak.

Despite the financial hurdles though, Fenway Sports Group has sparked an interest to purchase the club. Additionally, Stephen Pagliuca, an existing member of the Celtics’ ownership panel might also want to expand his share to assume major control. Devising a fair sale value seems to be tricky.

Yet, given its colorful history, its positive future and it being an iconic brand, it could very well be possible to fetch the lofty sum.