Stanley Ho successfully completed his bid to become the Boston Celtics CO-OWNER of the most winning team in NBA history. As soon as this news was announced, it immediately triggered heated discussions in the sports circle and the vast fan community at home and abroad.
On August 20, Beijing time, the Celtics announced that the investment group led by William Chisholm had completed the acquisition of a majority stake in the Celtics after the unanimous approval of the NBA board. This marks the official change of ownership of the star team.
Chisholme investment group is led by Boston Celtics and board members. They include Bruce Beck, Mitard, Bruce Beale, Andrew Bialetsky, Dom Ferrante, Rob Hale, Stanley Ho and Ian Loring.
In an interview with Tencent Sports, Stanley Ho said the investment was a one-off. I will become a shareholder from the fans, there will be more sense of participation and responsibility, hope that the team can do more and better. He believes that from the Chinese market, Celtics whether from the commercial value or the number of fans, there is room for improvement.
Stanley Ho also talked about Yang’s inclusion in the NBA, saying it was a big boost for young Chinese players. In June, Chinese player Yang Hansen was selected 16th overall in the first round of the 2025 NBA rookie draft to play for the Portland Trail Blazers, to become the ninth Chinese player selected by the NBA draft after Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.
The process of getting into NBA management, which requires a rigorous background check by the league and unanimous consent from 29 other team shareholders, has proved difficult. In this context, Stanley Ho’s entry into the NBA’s professional team management as a Chinese entrepreneur is not only a landmark event in the deep collaboration between Chinese investors and the American professional sports system, it also provides a new opportunity for China to strive for more voice in international top sports events.
In 2002, Yao Ming entered the NBA as the number one player and became the ambassador of sino-us basketball exchanges. In 2019, Joseph Tsai acquired the Brooklyn Nets team, further enhancing the Chinese influence in the NBA. A new generation of Chinese players such as Yang Hansen and Zeng fanbo continue to shine in the NBA, while Stanley Ho has become a common owner of the Celtics… … more and more Chinese faces are taking their place in the NBA.
Stanley Ho is reportedly the son of Stanley Ho, the Macao gambling tycoon, and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While studying abroad, Stanley Ho was a Celtics fan. Since then, he has also posted about the Celtics on social media many times, the team’s Jay Brown is his favorite star.
Stanley Ho has dabbled in esports, hotel and business services. There are 8 affiliated enterprises under its name, of which 6 are in a state of survival, they include Wuhan Xingwei Shengshi Network Technology Co. , Ltd. , Shanghai Shangyou Network Technology Co. , Ltd. , Beijing Huanju Commercial Management Co. , Ltd. , Shanghai such as Competitive Players Hotel Management Co. , Ltd. .
Stanley Ho’s investment in the Celtics is no doubt motivated by the commercial value of their top teams. Founded in 1946, the Celtics are the most-winning NBA team, with 18 NBA titles and more than 40 Hall of Famers. Over the past 23 years, the Celtics have won two NBA titles under the leadership of a consortium led by Gruesbeck, and remain one of the league’s best-run teams.
In March, the Celtics announced that Chisholme, managing partner of Software Technology Group (STG) , had acquired the team at a valuation of $6.1 bn, the highest price paid for a team in North n sports history.
Chisholme grew up in a Boston suburb and is a huge Celtic fan. With the acquisition completed, Chisholme will become chairman of the club’s board, with Gruesbeck and Adiya Mittal as alternate chairmen. Groesbeck will remain the team’s CEO until 2028.