Locked On Celtics: "New Celtics Owners PULLED in Different Directions | Is there a CLEAR VISION for the future?"

Host: John Karalis
Guest: Tom Westerholm
Date: September 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, John Karalis and Tom Westerholm discuss mounting concerns surrounding the Boston Celtics’ new multi-part owner group. The central theme is doubt and uncertainty over whether the new owners have a unified, clear vision for the franchise’s future amid complex ownership structure, looming financial commitments, and significant potential changes. The hosts balance this with an opening tribute to longtime Celtics PR legend Jeff Twiss, recently inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tribute to Jeff Twiss, Celtics PR Legend

[03:34 – 10:09]

• Jeff Twiss’ Hall of Fame Induction:
  The hosts celebrate Twiss’ decades-long Celtics tenure (since 1981) highlighted by five championships.
• Stories & Memories:
  • John reminisces about Twiss’s role as the Celtics’ voice on the practice hotline and his behind-the-scenes support in media relations.
  • Favorite ‘Twiss Moments’:
    • Kevin Garnett’s 3-pointer — "Twiss, can I shoot threes?" "Yes, you can." ([04:13])
    • Brad Stevens’ hot mic F-bomb: Twiss’s “oh boy” reaction on the sideline ([04:42])
  • Twiss described as kind, discreet, and pivotal to both PR and journalism.
• Quotes:
  • John Karalis: “Just the nicest guy…someone who’s been around so much basketball greatness. What a career.” ([05:05])
  • Tom Westerholm: “Even when [journalist/PR relations] is most adversarial, Twist is just such a kind individual.” ([06:12])

2. Concerns Over the Celtics’ New Ownership Group

[10:09 – 35:13]

A. Lack of Transparency, No Clear Leadership Structure

[13:10 – 17:28]

• Limited Public Communication:
  • Ownership’s only spoken briefly to media, no press conference since the partial sale.
  • Major stakeholders (Bill Chisholm, Wick Grosbeck, others) have not explained decision-making structure.
• Unanswered Questions:
  • How will decisions actually be made?
  • Does each owner get an equal say, or is it based on investment percentage?
• Financial Arrangements:
  • Half the team bought (at $6.1 billion valuation), the rest due in three years, likely at an even higher price.
• Quote:
  • John Karalis: “I don’t know how this is going to work…what if the other seven [board members] don’t [agree]?” ([15:04])
• Concern for Basketball Operations:
  • Will Brad Stevens have autonomy to build the roster, or could a fragmented board quash moves?
  • Tom Westerholm: “Is this a House of Representatives situation? Your say is based on your investment size. What is this?” ([16:15])

B. The Threat of Overextension: Too Many Ambitions

[18:00 – 28:34]

• Unfinished Ownership/Investment Rounds:
  • Additional billions required in 3 years; possibility the board grows larger to cover costs.
• Simultaneous Massive Projects:
  • Potential for new Celtics arena (lease expires 2036 but exploration underway).
  • WNBA expansion/relocation complications: Bill Chisholm rumored as big player, costs in the hundreds of millions.
  • Rival bids (Krafts, Jacobs family) and political hurdles.
• Quote:
  • John Karalis: “It’s like everybody’s trying to spend Bill Chisholm’s money, which I’m not even sure he has...” ([25:52])
• Core Dilemma:
  • If capital requirements explode, will the group’s focus shift away from competitive team-building to cost-cutting or asset-flipping?
• Tom Westerholm:
  • “What’s the quality of the team you’re going to be putting in this brand new shiny stadium? You can’t be saving too much…” ([28:34])
  • “Very rich people in America these days… known for buying something and tearing it down to the studs.” ([19:26])

C. Looming Impact on the Team’s Culture & Decision-Making

[29:21 – 35:13]

• Contrast to Previous Ownership:
  • Past owners balanced “smart, meaningful improvement” with financial realism.
  • It’s unknown if new corporate/VC-backed owners will maintain that ethos.
• Market Realities:
  • Sports franchise prices are soaring (Blazers sold for $4B, Lakers at $10B valuation). Future sales likely to come with more, larger ownership groups.
• Quote:
  • John Karalis: “It’s so much more than him [Chisholm]… I can’t see nine rich people agreeing on the same thing.” ([34:11])
• Nationalization Joke:
  • Tom proposes “nationalizing all sports teams” as the only way to avoid fractured, investment-driven ownership. ([32:30])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Uncertainty of Oversized Ownership Groups:
  • John Karalis: “If you and Wick say one thing, are all nine people going to say the same thing, or do seven people’s votes outvote you? That’s going to be the question that changes the entire course of the Celtics…” ([34:15])
• On Future of Sports Ownership in This Era:
  • Tom Westerholm: “All these owners are going to see [these prices] as an opportunity to get out…If they’re going for this much, how are you supposed to hang on to it?” ([33:30])
• On the Cultural Impact of Ownership:
  • Tom Westerholm: “We don’t know if that [supportive, visionary] attitude is going to continue at a time that is extremely pivotal [for the NBA].” ([20:16])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:34 – 10:09] — Jeff Twiss Hall of Fame & Celtics PR memories
• [13:10 – 17:28] — Breaking down ownership group structure, unanswered questions
• [18:00 – 22:57] — Financial commitments, board expansion scenarios, looming big decisions (Tatum’s future, payroll)
• [25:38 – 28:34] — Arena project complications, WNBA team expansion, competition with other owners (Kraft/Jacobs)
• [29:21 – 35:13] — The existential questions: will collective ownership mean cost-cutting, who controls the franchise’s direction, and will fans’ values be protected?

Conclusion

Tone & Takeaways:

• The episode is part bemused, part sobering—balancing Boston sports warmth (the Twiss tribute) with a growing, almost skeptical anxiety about the team’s direction and the broader trend in sports ownership.
• Both John and Tom remain frustrated at the lack of direct answers or transparency, repeatedly calling for a press conference or more communication.
• They see the Celtics’ next few years as pivotal: will a divided, investment-driven ownership group risk the team’s competitive edge and community values?

If you haven’t listened:
This episode offers a unique blend of Celtics nostalgia and hard-headed realism about the money and politics now behind Boston’s favorite team—raising the kind of “who’s really in charge?” questions every engaged fan wants answered, but so far, none of the new owners have stepped up to address.

Note: All commercial breaks, extended advertisements, and network plugs have been skipped for clarity and focus on on-court and franchise-relevant content.