The Boston Celtics, one of the most iconic franchises in sports, are up for sale, and a familiar name in professional sports ownership has emerged as a contender. Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, is reportedly among the finalists to purchase the team, according to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons.
Lurie, a Massachusetts native with deep roots in the Boston area, made it past the initial round of bids, competing against a small pool of high-profile candidates. Speaking on his podcast, Simmons shared, “Four or five people made the first round. One of them was Jeffrey Lurie.”Lurie, who has owned the Eagles since 1994, has earned a reputation as a steady and innovative leader in the NFL, making him an intriguing prospect for the Celtics’ next owner.
His ties to Boston run deep. Lurie grew up in the area, attending Clark University, Boston University, and Brandeis, where he earned a doctorate in social policy. While his professional success has been centered in Philadelphia, his love for Boston sports-particularly the Celtics-has always been apparent. He was spotted courtside at Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals alongside Eagles stars Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, and his admiration for Celtics legend Red Auerbach has influenced his own management philosophy.
“When you look at how Red Auerbach ran the Celtics, it was always about making decisions that benefited the team long-term, even if they weren’t popular in the moment,” Lurie once said during an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. That mindset has been a hallmark of his tenure with the Eagles, where he’s overseen consistent playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in 2018.
The battle for ownership of the Boston Celtics
The Celtics, currently valued at an estimated $5-6 billion, are being sold by the Grousbeck family, who have owned the team since 2002. The sale will occur in two phases, with 51% of the team changing hands during the 2024-25 season and the remainder by 2028. Other bidders, including Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, are expected to present strong competition.
Lurie’s experience in managing a successful franchise makes him an intriguing option for Celtics fans, especially for a team looking to build on its rich history. But with so many moving parts-including a sky-high price tag and strong competition-there’s no guarantee Lurie will land the team.
For now, Celtics fans can only wait to see how the bidding plays out. If Lurie does secure the team, it will mark a homecoming of sorts-and possibly usher in a new era of success for one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.
Read the full article here
