In the NBA’s 75+ years of history, the Boston Celtics have been amongst the most competitive and successful franchises in the league. With over 17 championship wins, it is currently tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the best overall win record. Despite 16 of these wins being secured before the beginning of the 2000s, the franchise was still undervalued in the new century. Having paid close attention to the Celtics, a businessman named Wyc Grousbeck chose to make a gamble back in 2002. Today, that business move has paid off well, as the Celtics are currently valued at 11 times more than it was over two decades ago.

Having found tremendous success during the regular season and the playoffs, the Boston Celtics will now head to the NBA Finals to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Therefore, this would be as good of a time as any to highlight the man who has been a prominent part of the behind-the-scenes work of the team for over 22 years.

Who is Wyc Grousbeck?

Early Days

Wyc Grousbeck is a native of Weston, a low-populated town located just 15 miles from the ever-buzzing city of Boston, Massachusetts. As a child, he often accompanied his siblings and his parents to arenas or stadiums to watch the Boston Celtics and the Red Sox in action. Wyc’s father, H. Irving Grousbeck, also possessed the business gene. After founding the Comcast MO Group, Inc., aka Media One, he would later go on to sell the company for a whopping $11.5 billion.

While initially studying history at Princeton University, Wyc would later secure a law degree from the University of Michigan. However, even that probably didn’t seem to be enough, compelling him to pursue an MBA from Stanford. While in Michigan, he would meet his first wife, Corinne. They had a son by the name of Campbell in 1992, who was diagnosed with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) upon birth. This rare ailment limited his vision to a great extent. Upon research, Corinne believed that the best place that could help Campbell was the Perkins School for the Blind, a Massachusetts institute popularly associated with Helen Keller. The couple’s initial plan was to settle down in California. However, looking at what’s best for their son, Wyc and Corinne decided to move to Boston. And just by this decision, his journey with the Boston Celtics had a prologue.

Acquiring and taking the Boston Celtics, aka “The Land of the Giants”, to new heights

Boston Celtics was not the first sports team Wyc Grousbeck and his father were looking to put their hard-earned money into. According to ESPN, the father-son duo initially had their eyes on MLB’s Oakland Athletics. They would have combined this or chosen to forego it in exchange for their planned acquisition of the San Francisco Giants. However, their mind diverted from baseball to basketball after learning that the Boston Celtics were looking to be acquired by some new owners.

Along with a friend, Steve Pagliuca, the two Grousbecks made a play. By December 2002, they had acquired the NBA team for $360 million. Wyc Grousbeck felt the magnitude of his decision a few minutes before the press conference announcing the acquisition. And where, exactly? In the locker room.

“I’m trying to find the sink, and the counter comes up to my chest and the faucets are up here, and I’m trying to find the mirror,” said Grousbeck during an interview. “I’m saying, ‘I’m in the Land of the Giants. What have I done?'”

Once the acquisition was done, it was time to rebuild the team. Former NBA player and coach Danny Ainge was amongst the first people interviewed for a role in the newly acquired franchise. Ainge was impressed with Wyc Grosubeck and his efforts to provide the best for Campbell. This reportedly was among the reasons that convinced him to sign on as General Manager of the Celtics. Renowned NBA coach Doc Rivers joined in 2005.

Success didn’t reach the new Boston Celtics quickly. During the 2006-07 season, the franchise finished with a 24-58 win record. Along with a record losing streak of 18 games, this was one of the worst stats established by any NBA team ever. By the time the 2007-08 season arrived, the elite trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce had become a part of the Celtics. Together, they posted a record of 66-16 during the regular season games. Not only did this allow them to occupy the top seed on the points chart, but it also established their place in the history books for having one of the biggest comebacks within just one year. They pushed on and eventually defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals to win their first ring after a 22-year hiatus.

What is Wyc Grousbeck up to nowadays?

Wyc Grousbeck acquired the Boston Celtics for $360 million. Today, it is worth over $4 billion. Despite being unable to win a championship ring since 2008, Grousbeck remains a part of the franchise as its majority owner and Governor.

A lot has changed for Wyc Grousbeck in the past couple of years. In 2014, he separated from his wife after 28 years of marriage and would later marry Emilia Fazzalari, the CEO of Cinco Spirits Group and Cincoro Tequila. She shares the ownership of the latter company along with current Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. Together, the couple share a net worth of over $400 million.

Despite being separated, Wyc Grousbeck and Corinne remained a prominent part of their children’s lives. This partnership made him question whether the same situation could be a premise for a sitcom. He pitched the idea to Red Sox owner Tom Werner, which led to the creation of ‘Extended Family’ starring Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer.

After 16 years of waiting, the Boston Celtics are now closer than ever to securing another championship title. In the upcoming days, not only Wyc Grousbeck but also fans from around the world will anticipate the outcome.