Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James could become a part-owner of the Boston Celtics, according to a new report.
James has owned a stake in Liverpool (which is owned by Fenway Sports Group) since 2011, and he also became a partner in FSG in 2021, giving him ownership of the Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins as well.
Now, the The New York Post reports that FSG and RedBird Capital (which are also closely associated with the four-time NBA champion) are considering making a bid for the Celtics.
Boston won its NBA-record 18th title in June when it defeated the Dallas Mavericks, but owner Wyc Grousbeck shocked fans soon after by announcing he was selling the team.
The franchise is seeking $6 billion in the sale, sources told The Post.
LeBron James could become owner of the Boston Celtics through Fenway Sports Group
Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck (center) announced he would sell the team after it won the 2023-24 championship.
James, 39, is still in top form for the Lakers and could not have a role with the Celtics while he is an active player.
However, the sale is expected to be a two-step process: the final 49 percent of the franchise will not be sold until 2028.
By that time, James, 43, will likely be out of the game and could return to the Celtics.
James has also expressed his desire to start his own franchise, an expansion team in Las Vegas.
According to The Post, FSG and RedBird are currently part of the Las Vegas process, but the consortium would “likely move forward” with that plan if they actually went ahead and bought the Celtics.
James has owned Liverpool since 2011. He also has stakes in the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The publication also named Celtics minority owner Stephen Pagliuca as a potential buyer of the NBA team.
Grousbeck, as he said in a previous interview with CNBCis putting 51 percent of the team up for sale now and the remaining 49 percent when he steps down as controlling owner of the team around 2028.
James is currently playing with two Celtics players in the Olympics, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, and Team USA will play for the gold medal against France on Saturday.
‘The King’ has also enjoyed great success against the Celtics in his career, as he has averaged 28.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 59 regular-season games.
