BOSTON (AP) — The NBA on Wednesday unanimously approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to a group led by private equity mogul Bill Chisholm, a deal that values the franchise at more than $6.1 billion — the largest ever for an American professional sports team.

The league said the transaction is expected to close shortly. When it does, Chisholm will take ownership of at least 51 percent of the team, with full control coming by 2028 at a price that could bring the total value to $7.3 billion.

The previous record for a U.S. sports franchise was the $6.05 billion paid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023. The record price for an NBA team was the $4 billion mortgage firm owner Mat Ishbia paid for the Phoenix Suns in 2023.

A Massachusetts native and graduate of Dartmouth College and Pe

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