• Loading stock data...
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Front Office Sports Honors winners are here! View the 2025 winners

Bill Simmons Thinks Jeff Bezos Wants to Buy Celtics

  • The podcaster reports that Bezos could be a suitor to purchase the Celtics.
  • Bezos was reportedly interested in the NFL’s Commanders last year.
Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

A year after teasing a bid to purchase the Commanders, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos may be eyeing another major pro sports franchise.

Sports podcaster Bill Simmons said on The Bill Simmons Podcast Sunday that Bezos could be interested in buying the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics. 

“In the last few days, there’s been some, I think, legitimate buzz about Jeff Bezos buying the Celtics. And I think it’s real,” Simmons, a longtime Celtics supporter, said. 

Weeks after the Celtics won their league-record 18th championship, ESPN reported that owner Wyc Grousbeck and his partners put the team up for sale. Grousbeck, a Massachusetts native, and his partners bought the franchise for $360 million in 2002 and have become beloved in the city as the Celtics established themselves as a playoff fixture and won two titles.

But Simmons said that the ownership group is looking for the highest bidder—regardless of their ties to the city.

“He just wants the highest price. He’s not like, ‘Oh, these local guys, let’s get ‘em.’ He doesn’t care. He wants the biggest price he’ll possibly get,” Simmons said.

Bezos, the second-richest man in the world according to Forbes, could easily afford the franchise valued at $4.7 million, the fourth-highest among NBA teams. Simmons added that the NBA wants the Celtics to be sold for $6 billion in order to raise the prices of expansion fees. The price tag would be in the ballpark of the $6.05 billion the Commanders were sold for, which was the largest sale of any pro sports franchise

As for why Bezos would want to buy the team, Simmons speculated that the Celtics’ legacy would be an enticing factor for the billionaire.

“It’s one of the crown jewel franchises, right? That’s why you get it,” Simmons said.

Unlike other high-valued franchises like the Warriors and Knicks, the Celtics ownership group does not own the TD Garden. The team’s lease is until 2036, after which Bezos could also parlay ownership into building an arena—like Clippers owner Steve Ballmer—to raise the team’s value and even sell or grant its naming rights to Amazon or another of his companies.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.

Mark Cuban on Why NBA Expansion Isn’t Imminent

Cuban said the next CBA could help solve some expansion issues.
Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks

Staley says she would have made the NBA leap “for women.”
Mat Ishbia

Suns, Mat Ishbia Sued by Minority Owners Looking to Open Books

The limited partners have been seeking a buyout from Ishbia.
Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban Wishes He Had Put Mavs on Open Market

Cuban also thinks private equity has shifted the NBA’s priorities. 

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

Selig Backs MLB Salary Cap, but Warns Against Labor Fight

The league’s former commissioner cites salary-cap success in other leagues.
August 27, 2025

Keegan Bradley Declines Rare Ryder Cup Playing Captain Role

Bradley did not choose himself with one of his six captain’s picks.
Aug 24, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench against the Minnesota Lynx in the second half at Target Center.
August 27, 2025

Caitlin Clark Still Out With 2 Weeks Left in WNBA Season

The WNBA regular season ends Sept. 11.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 26, 2025

NFL Roster Cut Deadline Passes After Backup QB Carousel

Several high-profile backups were traded or signed with new teams.
August 26, 2025

MLB Unveils 2026 Schedule As Big Changes Loom Soon After

Next year’s slate could be among the last in the current format.
August 26, 2025

Masters, Open Championship Offer New Paths for Qualifying in 2026

Winner of select national opens will now earn invitations.
Aug 24, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler takes his shot on the first hole during the final round of the TOUR Championship golf tournament.
August 25, 2025

Nine PGA Tour Players Earned More Than $10M During 2025 Season

The 2025 season ended at the Tour Championship on Sunday.