When news broke Bill Chisholm was set to buy the Celtics for a then-record $6.1 billion, it thrust him into the spotlight . But it turns out, he almost didn’t end up landing his childhood team.

Per The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov , four ownership groups placed bids for the Celtics “with the clear instructions that all that mattered was the highest number.” Chisholm’s $6.1 billion price tag won in the end, but it only outbid second place by less than $100 million in the blind auction, per Vorkunov.

“It’s unlike any other investment or anything really,” Chisholm told Vorkunov. “Truly once in a lifetime thing.”

Chisholm was one of four finalists along with former Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca, Phillies minority owner Stan Middleman and the Friedkin Group. All the finalists got to me

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