From fan to owner of the Boston Celtics: The Bill Chisholm interview

From fan to owner of the Boston Celtics: The Bill Chisholm interview

[Applause] [Music] Larry Paul at the front. What a move by round two. Celtics Talk podcast is presented by 24autogroup.com, 11 locations across New England. What’s up everybody? Uh, I I know I’ve said a very special episode of the Celtics Talk podcast, but this might be the specialist of them all. Bill Chisum, new owner of the Boston Celtics, was kind enough to drop by our studios this week. A chance to talk about taking over ownership of the Celtics, what that process has been like, but also a chance to go back, live his Celtics fandom, find out a little bit more about the man that we will maybe affectionately call Billy Banners, or do we have to wait on that? But anyway, let’s get right into it. Here’s my chat with Bill Chisum. Has it sunk in? Owner of the Boston Celtics. I like the way that sounds. Yeah. Uh I don’t know that it ever will. I’m uh there’s a lot of joy. A lot of joy in the Chisum household right now. Take me back. When is the first time you ever thought I think every kid in New England thinks someday I’m going to own the Boston. First you want to play for the Boston Celtics, then you want to own the Boston Celtics. When did you say like I could really own the Boston Celtics? About the moment before we signed like I I didn’t believe it. It was is this really happening? Is this really going to going to happen? And then uh no, I would say uh it literally is it was over a year ago that the whole thing got started. And um it it took a year, but you know, for the Boston Celtics that was that was worth it. Um, I’d say there were there were discussions along the way that were pretty seminal, some of the other owners, spending time with Wick, and then actually one of the big things was coming in and meeting the the management team, too. Like I don’t think people always I didn’t realize what what’s behind the scenes there and Rich’s Rich Gotham’s group. Fantastic, fantastic group. And then Brad and and uh and his group um just amazing. And that was like, yeah, these are my people. um this is my team and I want to make this happen. But what about at home? So I go to my wife and I say, “Hey, I want to put in a golf simulator.” She’s like, “No, you go, I want to go buy the Boston Celtics.” Yeah. What What does What does Kimberly and the children say when you tell them you’re you want to do that? I I mean, I think first there was just a bunch of laughter like, “What are you talking about? That’s that’s absurd.” Uh but ultimately, um you know, I don’t know. They they I am a you know a huge fan. They may be even bigger fans. So but it was a family decision for sure. I this is you don’t make don’t make a decision like this lightly and you do it as a as a group. And um I think what what really as we started processing and thinking about it um it was not just you know being part of the the Celtics on the court is being part of the Celtics off the court. that was super important to my family and the platform for for good that the Celtics actually represent uh and the ability to, you know, to to have the kind of impact in the community and particularly parts of the community that might, you know, be at risk or whatever that is, that’s just an incredible opportunity. And you know, as we put it all together, that combined with the on the court stuff, like we close the deal. How difficult was that period from Okay, we talked what was it February when you were the bid. Yeah. Yeah. To to to getting to the finish line. Are there nervous nights? Are there, you know, how does that process play out for you? Yeah. I think the I think the um there was there was a feeling I felt like it was actually got easier. I think there was a real feeling of momentum that was building. Um and you know, we put together a group of fantastic um owners, investors. uh and um and as you know I started spending time with them and we got that all sorted out. I spent more time with the organization. I felt like it just it was just fitting together really well and some of the you know those you know the questions am I doing something is this crazy what you know you know am I am I just you know chasing some childhood dream or something like that but as that started to come together like it it just it just built on itself and then you know I I would have been heartbroken if it didn’t happen uh but it did so here we are. What was there a celebration moment along the way? Was there one was it the bid? Was it the closing? Like where where do you where do you celebrate? Yeah, I I think there were obvious there were there are multiple celebrations. There’s there’s we try to be very grateful about it. So everything from, you know, the first game we came to when when the the deal had been announced to, you know, getting out to the Bill Russell dedication today. Um there are there have been many many celebrations along the way and um I think there’ll be many more to come. Take me back to let’s I want to go way back first before then we get to your ownership group and everything like that. Just first basketball memories when when what is what is the first thing that jumps to mind when you think about your Celtic fandom? Yeah. Well, I have to give a shout out to my cousin Phil Chisum. Uh there are a lot of Chisums around uh around the Boston area and but but um he and I uh found an ad for some t for some tickets in the globe. I think it was back then there wasn’t uh ticket master or StubHub or whatever. So, uh, and they were listed for like eight, nine bucks. I’m like, “This is this is incredible. This is like let’s do it.” So, took the paperroot money and, uh, poured it into buying a couple tickets and we got there and, you know, it’s the classic, you know, sitting behind, you know, the obstructed view, but it didn’t really matter, you know, just being part of that. And then, you know, as whatever 10 12 year olds, we made our way worked our way down to the court by the end of the game. That was a Well, I actually do have memories of the the mid70s teams which were was really good, but there was a tough time until uh one Larry Bird showed up on the on the scene and then wow took off. But that was one of my first first memories is going to that game. I was going to say what is your I mean you have better seats now by the way. But um when like who were your favorite players along the way in the early ages? Who was the first guys you gravitated towards? Yeah, I I I um well I I like to laugh. I was a very mediocre high school basketball player, but I fashioned my game after uh Kevin McCale. Loved Kevin McCale and the low post and all his up and unders and everything. He’s just fantastic and the enthusiasm he played the game had for the game, all that. I really liked players like ML Carr who was, you know, just really hard worker, you know, defense first energy, all that. Um, Reggie Lewis, I mean, that that really broke my heart. Like really really was was tough and uh loved I felt like the sky was the limit for him. Um, and I think he was, you know, just he was doing it the right way and uh and it the sky was would have been the limit for him. So that was one. Um, and then more recently, my I I love Leon Poe um for similar reasons. Yeah. And now he’s part of the organization. I see him sitting next to saw him this morning. Yeah, I saw him this morning. Yeah. fantastic not only player but person. Yeah. So, uh, give me the the scouting report on Bill Chisum’s high school or or or grade school game. Like some I I heard a pretty glowing report that someone said if you were been 67 that you would have you would have uh you would have been gravitated towards basketball. What was what was the game? Uh 67 and actually could shoot maybe. But uh I was uh I I I was a a man without a a kid without a position really. So was not very good at any of them but was okay at a bunch of them. So uh I did did a nice job cheering from the bench too which actually I I mean I joke about it but you know you learn from those things and uh and probably learn more from that kind of thing than than actually step on the court but uh yeah pretty mediocre. you were not mediocre at soccer. When when did that become a thing? You know, when did you uh realize that you had some some soccer skills? Yeah, I mean, I would say uh I played three sports in high school, which now nowadays is, you know, you just don’t do that. Uh and and this doesn’t happen. Not because, you know, I think kids are just, I think, you know, far more talented in some ways and better trained and all that, but that focus I I do think that’s too bad in some cases. But like high school, we had a we had a very good high school team and then I um I I you know, I ended up playing in college as well with a pretty spectacular group of of folks as well. What do you have there? Uh oh. So, I don’t know if you’re going to be able to see this. I I’ll I’ll put this on the uh on the one shot later, but um so this is uh this is November of 1986. Yeah. When Brooks won the ISL championship game, do you remember what you did in that game? Uh me personally? Yeah. Uh you can go and assist. Yeah. And was the captain of the undefeated 140 and4 team? Yeah. Do you uh do you remember this moment and holding up uh holding up the trophy? I do. I do. It was really heavy. Uh well, I was going to say to spin it forward, we should think about when you can get one of those Larry O’Briens and and hold that up. I really have thought about what that would be like. I I have um and it you know I’m gonna die trying I’ll tell you that. Uh but yeah that’s that’s those are those are uh some pretty special times. Um that’s a great feeling. I love I mean I love to compete and you know that’s one of the other things about this is it’s a chance for an old guy like me to to you know do my little part uh in terms of you know competing. So I was going to say what were you ruthless competitor like what was what’s the give me the uh you on the soccer pitch. What was it? I’d say uh I really hated to lose. Like I I probably I you know you kind of learn that I was one of the kids that you know would would take his his uh glove and go or the ball and go home if I lost in the neighborhoods and and there there are folks out there that can actually back that up. But but um I think that’s uh you know you learn to compete the right way. Uh but uh but you know I love I love that that that competition and uh and looking forward to it here too. Tell me a little bit about the fandom as you know in the years leading up to buying the Boston Celtics. So you were out in the the Bay Area, right? Yeah. 2022 finals like what’s that like for you uh for you out there? Uh well I went to the first game uh hold on that was so that would have been okay that was in the Golden State was that was a good result. Um uh and I felt like uh you know I I actually I actually feel like you know that was something the Celtics had to go through. Um and frankly something that I had to go through as a fan probably because it had been a while. Um, but then when the the time came again, which I thought was going to be the next year, but you know, two years later, like I think, you know, the the team and and Jaylen and Jason and they were ready for it and uh uh but it was tough because I felt like they they were the better team and I don’t I I knew that. I mean, I think we all knew that. Is there other people in your circle that are Warriors fans out there or was like insufferable insufferable like Yeah, I know you’re surrounded by it’s actually interesting. There are a lot of Boston folks out there, but but you know, the Warriors are are um they’ve you know, Steph Curry is such a talent. I think they’ve really they’ve built a a pretty strong fan base. Um but nothing like nothing like Boston. So, spinning it forward to 2024, as you said, they got over the hump. I I I think I read that you were making hype videos for your family. Yeah. Yeah. Either I I’m not going to make it. Can you just give me like what what is a a Bill Chism hype video like? Yeah. When you’re sending it to the family, it’s basically you you were talking earlier about your your kids mocking you for what facial hair, I guess. Was it? Yeah. It was bas It’s just basically uh me making a fool of myself, but uh you know, out in the out in the driveway with a basketball and the hoop down at six feet and still not being able to dunk and uh and uh yeah, and trying to you know, build some energy around it for my extended family. um just having a good time with it and and I and I knew that was I knew they were going to win. They were going to win be and I did did videos before that proclaiming that and and here and and they got it done. Is there music? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of uh Well, one of them set to Rocky music and there’s another ones are Guns and Roses, you know, it’s all the uh shipping up to Boston. It’s like the whole garden playlist. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. So, we’re not going to So, that’s one thing you won’t take her with at the garden, right? like it, you know, songs all that. Yeah. No, it’s fantastic. I guess I think Joe plays uh shipment of the Boston every practice pretty much. So, got to keep that too. Well, I I don’t know if I’m disclosing anything, but uh yeah, you know, it’s nothing surprising with Joe. Yeah. Um what’s that been like to have your family I see your kids courtside, you know, like how how exciting is that to immerse them in this whole process? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I mean there’s it’s it’s a it’s really a source of joy for our family and I wish you know everyone you know had that opportunity um because it is I think so the sports and Celtics specifically for our family it just is it’s like it really connects you with other people like there’s nothing like being in an arena and having you know thousands of people just going nuts and your family’s there and you’re all pulling for the same thing and um it really it’s like a it’s a really joyful experience and I’m I just have incredible gratitude for that. Did they gravitate to it on their own? Did you have to steer them a little bit or um Do they make any hype videos as well or is it just you? Actually, let’s let’s uh maybe we make that happen if you uh if you give them a little little proddding. Maybe that’ll help. Next time I’m Corside, I’ll just I’ll just let them know like, “Hey, dad’s bringing the energy and you want a title.” Yeah. Are you in on this or you not? Yeah. We we’ll make a conditional and then they have to do it. Yeah. They’re the uh Yeah. I know they they they came to it. Um I think it was impossible not to come to it. Yeah. When when I was when I was such a and have been such a a nut. Um it was funny cuz my youngest son, he um Quentyn uh we had a deal because I was in the West Coast and uh the SU would play and it would be four o’clock out there and I’d be at work and I’d tape the the games and I’d uh I would and he and he would want to watch want to watch the games and I said, “Well, just wait for me to get home. We’ll watch it on tape.” And he just couldn’t do. is like, you know, 7 years, 8 years old, and it’s like that self-control wasn’t quite there yet. The deal was, okay, but you can’t tell me what happens. You know, if you’re going to watch, you can’t tell me what happens. And I always knew that if he were out in the out in the driveway shooting hoops, Celtics won. And if he’s up in his room, then Celtics lost. So, he wasn’t up in his room very often, of course. I was going to say it does make it a little bit easier. Like, you kind of free up the night if you if you need to. No, I would still watch, but I knew what I knew the result was. No. Tonight’s show is brought to you in part by 24autog groupoup.com. 11 locations across New England. Watching you. I I appreciate that. Uh I’m I’m still don’t I don’t know how to react to that. Having a vehicle you can rely on, that’s important. That’s why you can rely on 24 Auto Group. They will treat you like family, and that’s because they are familyowned and operated. They’re honest, easy to work with, and they just get it. Whether you’re looking for something sporty, something luxurious, or just a solid everyday ride, 24 Auto Group always comes through. With nine brands in 11 locations across New England, there’s something for everyone. And here’s the best part. They’ve got the knack to save you more on a new or pre-owned vehicle and the knack to pay you more for your trade. Up to $2,400 over book value. You can even drive home with just $24 down. So, if you want the best deal without the runaround, go see my guys at 24 Auto Group because you always get more at 24. Let’s spin it forward. Building this ownership group. Yeah. What goes into that? Are there people from the start that you know you want to get involved? Where do you meet all these other people that as you’re putting together that group? Yeah. No, it’s I’m you know, it’s a it’s a great group of of um of of people first and foremost. And um I think when you’re when the thing that you’re trying to get people to sign up for is is the Boston Celtics, it was not I mean it was hard, but it wasn’t that hard. I mean you’re that’s a that’s a you know that’s a great great opportunity for folks. And so um and and I you know these things kind of network a little bit and you kind of you meet some people and you meet some other people and then it kind of starts fitting together. But, you know, by the end, you know, we could we we had the ability to to pick and choose, you know, whoever we wanted and thinking about folks that both were passionate about the Celtics and actually had, you know, something complimentary to bring, passionate about what the Celtics would do for the community. Um, and I’m I’m just thrilled with the group we’ve we’ve put together. Tell me a little bit about the the key figures and some of the people that are Yeah. Yeah. Hopefully uh they don’t mind me saying, but uh like a Rob Hail for example, who uh you know already was uh one of the investors and you know kind of came back in in a in in a in a really important way like in terms of you know the work that he’s done in the Boston community with Children’s Hospital and things like that like that’s the kind of person that that I wanted uh as part of this group. Frankly Wick you know staying on that and was was really really important to me. Um, and I think just more generally all you know the the other the owners that uh investors that were in the group you know that that came came back like I wanted to make that that work. I’m so grateful to what they’ve done. And I’m so grateful to what what you know Wick did with his leadership and Steve and and so like allowing them and want and inviting them and asking them to come back in like if it were me and I were you know one of the owners and and this had happened I I would have been heartbroken. So um and they’re they did so much good I mean for for the team and for the city of Boston like so that’s a that’s a there’s a bunch of those folks as well. What have you learned from the infancy of being having Wick around and and just being able to learn how revered that group became? Yeah. Based on the way they led the team. Yeah, a lot of things. I think one of them is kind of little bit know your place. Um I I I feel like I’m somewhat self-aware of those things, but you know that you have that you have Brad Stevens, you know, making and his team making decisions. you have Joe like I mean Brad is I I don’t I I’m not bashful about it. I think he’s the best you know basketball person in in the entire league. Um so making sure that you you know you know that he he needs to be out in front of that and whatever I can do to you know to help him uh I’m going to do. And uh and then on the other side the the business side you have similar leadership with Rich Gotham. I mean it’s it’s a really A+ organization and you know understanding that yeah we have to be better we can always be better and there are things that I can do to be helpful but it’s really helping them um do their jobs even more effectively that’s probably the biggest thing your other alternate governor Adidia Mattel how did you meet him and what was it about what he can bring yeah I mean it’s was a little bit of like the Kevin Bacon thing I I should have known him probably the you know whatever it was one degree of separation like uh I probably should have known him. I didn’t. But we knew like so many people in common and um just a uh really uh top class, really really good person, really um humble uh and frankly, you know, and we’re talking about the complimentarity of the group, you know, he and of and there are others as well, but as we think about the Celtics and basketball as an international um sport, like that’s what he brings. He’s a well-known, you know, international business leader and there are a lot of things going on, you know, beyond the our, you know, the outside of the United States and that’s one of the areas that I think he can be particularly helpful um to the league and and to this into more importantly the Celtics and Celtic fandom there too, right? I think I read that he’s uh Yeah. Everybody in the group I feel I mean not not obviously once you’re in you’re going to be a fan, but like especially when coming from the outside we need everyone’s going to vet these guys and say like have you been have you been along for the journey? Yeah. Exactly. And that’s that’s the case with him and and everyone in the group, frankly. Uh this might be these will be the toughest questions I ask you all day. All right. But let me sit up straight. Yeah. There we go. Uh there’s invariably when new owners come in. Yeah. There new owner syndrome, right? Like you there there’s this perception that you’re you need to you need to do something. You need to leave your imprint. Yeah. you from everything I’ve gathered from you. It sounds like you’re more fly on the wall, but tell me like what what is your plan for the for the infancy of this of this voyage? Yeah, I mean I I would say and and you know, first and foremost, um I came to this as a fan. I’m going to continue to be a fan. Um I would say that I sort of touched on it earlier as well. my I think my job and our our as a group our job actually one of the things that’s interesting I really uh appreciated um Allison Feaster who does a lot of the you know the culture building that sort of thing for for the Celtics um she and her team um have this notion of what jersey do do we wear and everyone within the organization what jersey do you wear to help make the Celtics you know a better uh a champion a champion on the court and off the court. Um, and I love that. And so, you know, we’re I’m actually doing a session with the the new investor group today. And that’s that’s the cornerstone of what I want to talk about is what jersey do we wear. And that jersey is being supportive to the organization to help Brad and Rich and their teams, you know, do what they want to do. um and to you know basically you know be and and and and and be a force in the community um around you know with the selfies platform. Those are the type of things that that we’re going to do and and um that’s the jersey that we’re going to wear. How much did you have to learn about the second apron? How much did you know coming in? Do you have to take a crash course on CDA before you buy one of these? Yeah, I I I um it is it is it’s it’s complicated, but I think the spirit of what what what it’s trying to do, I think is is a very is a positive thing. And um you know, as you think about like how do you how do you build, you know, champions? Um you know, that’s a it’s a and not just for one year, but for multiple years. If you look at, you know, over the last seven years, I think there’s been seven different champions. You know, I want to be a champion every year, and that’s what we’re shooting for. And that’s why you need people like Brad and Joe and you need leadership on the court with Jason and Jaylen and Derek and folks like that. Um, but yeah, it is it is there is some ins and outs there. Um, but in the end of the day, you know, we’ll do as an investor, we’ll do do whatever we can to to make sure this team’s a champion and and we’ll we’ll work work around it. I I don’t know if you listen to sports radio. I do. I do. Yeah. I don’t know if you watch our network. I do. You know, there are times where we just, you know, conversations come up and I think invariably, especially after an offseason like this where how much do you have to put your faith in like Brad’s going to going to do the right things for this, but also knowing that there could be some blowback on you guys. They say, “Oh, the new owner comes in and he’s cutting cost.” Like how do you how do you balance like not getting riled up by what happens on the outside? Yeah. And and um you know, I try to put myself in the as a fan thinking about how would I react to that kind of thing. So that’s a first that’s a first point of departure like making sure you’re you know you you have that point of view and you have that awareness. Um because some of the things we had to do like on the surface you know looked you know didn’t didn’t look like you know were we really building towards you know or towards you know a championship uh approach um and the timing was a little unfortunate. So you have to be you have to be aware of that. On the other hand, um, you know, the with the way things work, there isn’t a a, you know, a Derek White or a or a Christopheris or Drew Holiday if we had been, you know, in the situation we were now before we did these things a couple years ago. So, there’s a, you have to kind of work through that. And I I will say like Boston the Boston, you know, I I know the the folks are doing their job and the press and everything and the fans, but these are pretty sophisticated fans. And I think people get it. Um and I think there’s just, you know, we just need to be there’s just some patience that has to come with it. And I think that’s how you avoid the the new owner syndrome as well, which is, you know, very very uh detrimental and damaging. Ignore the 1%. Stay off Twitter, Mike. You know, I I try we try to educate, you know, but I think people understand. I will say like long term there are benefits if you guys do get under the luxury tax and stay under like how do you balance that trying to build get back to a championship level immediately? Yeah. And the the the impacts of the of the aprons and taxes. Yeah. Yeah. I I want to win every year. Like I’m I’m desperate to to to win. And uh and so, you know, how do we do that in the short term and in the long term? I think that’s what we’re we’re thinking about every day. And I’m trying to help Brad to to make that happen. And, you know, I think we’ve we’ve set ourselves up for that. Um where we stand right now. All right. Last last hard one, then we’re going to do the fun stuff. All right. Do you have a do you have a a goal, a plan with the building? Uh short answer is no. Um we’re we just you know we’re we’re whatever weeks in now um here literally. Um that said um you know I think there’s some philos philosophies philosophical pillars in terms of how you know I’m thinking about how we’re thinking about it. I mean the first is you know I I love the Boston Garden. Um there have been banners raised there. Um that’s a great place you know for for the fans. It’s a great place for the players. Um and uh so that’s a really good place to start. Second thing I would say is that um the Bruins and the Celtics belong together. So um no matter what happens, that’s a real priority, you know, for me. Um and then uh and then third, the most important thing is we’re going to create the best experience for for fans um that we can and we’ll figure out what that is. But that’s kind of how I approach it. And you know, we’re we’ll go into with an open mind, but you know, I think that’s the that’s the starting point, those three things. Yeah. All right, let’s talk more. Seems like I prepared that one a little bit. I felt like maybe you were going to ask that. I I figured I might get that one. You might you’ll probably get a few more times over the next couple days. You did you did that one very well. Uh when you look ahead to this year’s team, Yeah. What excites you most? Uh underdog mentality. I mean, I I I’m like, you know, Joe some. I mean, he he is going to he and and and Jaylen and Derek and I mean, they’re gonna this is a real opportunity. And this is where, you know, this is the crucible. You really show what you’re made of. And I love that. Some of my favorite teams are those Isaiah teams. You know, that’s it is that is a and I I’m going to do it because Tom on the way in here, Tom Giles, we were talking and he said, and I and I told him I would give him credit. I’m going to give him credit here, but he said we we talked about this earlier. You never you you I can’t do that. Yeah, you can’t give credit. Like then then he walks around with a big head around here. Well, okay. But anyways, I’ve done it, so it’s out of the So basically he said, you know, and it’s it’s every game matters. But like in this kind of this kind of situation, every game matters. Every moment and and that that should be the case in every every season obviously, but you know now, you know, we’ve got a we’ve got a real we got to just work it work it hard. And I love that underdog mentality. That’s why you asked me about some of my favorite players. A lot of those guys were that kind of player. So that Isaiah Thomas season, I’m telling you, like just because kind of came out of nowhere and there were like low expectations and then just give people opportunity. Yeah. I don’t think the Garden probably was louder um than than in that season. Yeah. Just really those fourth quarters king and the fourth. Amazing. Yeah. King of the fourth. Well, Pton Pritchard’s got some some extra minutes this year. Goes. Uh, give me your oddest Joe Missoula interaction so far in in six months around the team. You don’t know. Don’t look at PR. Uh, so Joe is is very intense obviously. And um, uh, which I love by the way. And, uh, I the first time I met him was out in Sacramento. Um, and Abby was there. I don’t you Yeah. So I was stuck here. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. And I was sitting uh courtside with the the uh the owner of the Kings had invited me to go. So I went and but I wasn’t wearing any Celtics gear and I wasn’t really cheering. I was trying to be polite, you know. So and it was his their there building and everything. And after the game, um I see Joe across the court and he makes I’ve never I never met him, never spoken. I see he makes eye contact with me and he comes straight beline to me and I’m like, “Oh gosh, here we go. Here we go.” And uh he comes over, he puts his hand out and he says he says exactly he says 30 freaking arena freaking arenas and all you hear is let’s go Celtics. I love it. Shake and and shakes it one more time and walks away. That was it. I’ve spoken to him I’ve spoken to him many times since. But yeah, that’s uh that kind of intensity. He was pumped up. It was a good game. Um, and uh, and I just love that that uh, that that the intensity he has. I thought you were gonna say he came over and challenged you to like jiu-jitsu because you weren’t wearing Celtics colors that night. Yeah. No, I I would I would politely decline that one. Don’t need any of that. You mentioned Brad, you know, what was that first meeting like um, when he’s kind of laying out the vision and again from the outside, I’m sure you have a respect for what he does, but then to hear him sort of giving you the pathway pathway forward. Yeah, there’s there’s um yeah, it’s a little bit it was you take the example how excited I was to meet you. I just multiply that by, you know, a few times. No offense. That’s okay. But but uh yeah, just um he is I understand why he gets that he’s gotten the results he does because he is both uh super smart. He’s got good IQ and EQ. Um and uh he’s he’s got that humility. He’s got that kind of self-awareness that, you know, you really need to have once you get to the top. You have to be aware that you can’t, it’s not always easy to stay there. Um, and uh, yeah, just and and he’s just a good person. Really good person. Uh, so Jason’s been doing the the media tour this week. Yeah. I think it’s getting people a little bit excited. How do you navigate his rehab process and what is it like watching him when he’s in the building and putting in all that effort to try to get back on the court? I mean, I I I would say uh well, first and foremost, like it’s and it is 100% like we’re not there’s not rushing anything. It’s he he needs to be one. He needs to be 100% plus both physically and frankly mentally as well. Like he has to be locked in. And whenever that is, that’s when it is. And I don’t I don’t have a really good sense of when that is. But the the the way and I shouldn’t be surprised. We shouldn’t be surprised. the way he’s attacked the the rehab, like you know, people are sort of like this is they’ve never seen anything like it. So, the guy’s a he’s special and he’s a warrior. So, I’m sure he’ll come back better than ever. And that’s got to rub off on everybody else inside the building, right? Like, you know, when you see someone in that situation putting that sort of of effort forward. Yeah, that’s a leader. Jaylen Brown. Yeah. What do you expect from him and this elevation to a uh to a heftier role? Yeah. I mean, again, the leadership thing is is the thing I’m most excited about. Um, and I think I think he I’m expecting that he’ll take his game to another level, not just, you know, not just scoring and things like that, but, you know, he’s very very focused on being a complete player, you know, as I think people know. And I think this is this is it. I think he’s it’s really I’m really excited for him. And last one, Billy Banners, we going with that? Well, word on the street is that it’s it’s it’s found some uh some some fans back home. It’s it’s it’s gotten a little bit my it’s mostly because my kids like to make fun of me for it, but uh but I would say like I I actually really like it, but I also uh I need to earn it. Okay, that’s a good way to look at it. Yeah, but we can I mean Yeah, I mean we I’m trying to think tough balance. So, do we call you it? I guess we can’t until you get that banner. You can call me in a kind of a a mocking way until uh joking way, but then you know then when we get it, maybe that that’ll then will really really stick. Were there any other nicknames growing up or anything that you want to put onto the universe? H I secret talents, nicknames, what? I’m trying to get the last bit of personal No, I don’t know. It’s there probably some that can’t be mentioned, but uh but uh no, I’ve I uh I’m going to I’m going to embrace this one uh and make make it make it my own when when I deserve it. Yeah, I love it. I love it. It’s a good way to do it. Can we do this more often? Let’s do it. All right. I had to do it on camera that way. You got me got to record. Yeah, you promised. Yeah. Yeah. Your time. I appreciate it. Yeah. Thank you, Chris. Yeah. Drew Carter here with the Knack. Critics say your deals are too good to be true. What do you say to that? Well, the receipts don’t lie. At 24 Auto Group, you get more more convenience with 11 locations. More money for your trade with 2400 overbook value for your trade. Plus, $24 down drives every day and get 24% off service. Family-owned and operated, 24 has the knack to save you more. New England. All right. What a treat. Uh, I I I had like a list of questions that I wanted to pepper him with. I got to maybe half of them. Uh, hopefully we can lure him back to the studio or maybe do something over at the garden during the course of the season. Find out even more about Chisum, his family, the plan moving forward. But you can see the excitement you get just how much this means to him, the responsibility that comes with owning the Boston Celtics, and eager to see where him and this new group takes the franchise. This is just the start. We got media day on Monday. Come on back. Uh there’s going to be no shortage of Celtics talk podcast moving forward, but we’ll be able to digest, get the initial vibes from media day on Monday over at the Hourback Center. Practices start on Tuesday. We’re back on the treadmill and we are rolling with the new Celtics season. We’ll catch you next time on the Celtics Talk podcast.

Chris Forsberg sits down with Boston Celtics owner Bill Chisholm to discuss how his dream of becoming the owner of the Boston Celtics became a reality. Bill talks about the process of buying the team, how he became a Celtics fan, and what the future holds for one of the most historic franchises in the NBA.

1:00-Bill Chisholm discusses how his dream of becoming the owner of the Celtics became a reality
5:30-Who are some of Bill’s favorite Celtics players of all time?
16:30-How the investment group came together to buy the Celtics
20:00-What are the goals of the new ownership group?
25:00-Will the Celtics look for their own arena?
26:00-What excited you most about this year’s team?
27:00-Best interaction with Joe Mazzulla so far

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