The Boston Celtics are headed toward becoming the first $500 million roster in NBA history by the 2025–26 season, causing palpable tension within the Grousbeck family, based on a recent report by The New York Post.
According to Josh Kosman, Irving Grousbeck, who owns a 20 percent stake in the team, is unhappy with their complex salary cap situation after his son, team governor Wyc Grousbeck, facilitated the deals to lock up its core that won Banner No. 18.
“That’s what happens when dad puts in most of the money,” according to an anonymous source.
“Wyc says we’ll spend whatever it takes, but dad wasn’t into losing money,” another source said.
Wyc Grousbeck surprised everyone when he announced that the Boston Celtics are up for sale in early July, a few days after winning the 2023-24 NBA title.
The Fenway Sports Group and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos were linked with a potential sale, but nothing came to fruition. According to reports, prospective buyers are hesitant to shell out $6 billion to buy the hallowed NBA franchise because of the team’s projected losses and lack of an own arena.
A look at the Boston Celtics’ ballooning payroll
Earlier this offseason, the Boston Celtics signed Jayson Tatum on a five-year, $315 million supermax extension , the largest contract in league history a year after giving Jaylen Brown $304 million. The team also gave Derrick White a four-year, $126 million extension and Sam Hauser a four-year, $45 million contract.
Jaylen Brown is the highest-paid player on the team at $49.2 million in annual salary in 2024-25. Rounding out the Top 5 are Jayson Tatum ($34.8 million), Jrue Holiday ($30 million), Kristaps Porzingis ($29.3 million), and Derrick White ($20 million).
According to ESPN, the Boston Celtics would have a projected tax bill of roughly $280 million for the 2025–26 season when the harsher luxury tax penalties fully kick in via the updated CBA.
