Early reports tipped (FSG) to , valued over $6 billion by most outlets.

However, Chris Cotillo of said Monday that FSG is not expected to be involved in the Celtics sweapstakes. One reason for the group's reticence -- outside of the massive financial outlay required to purchase the 18-time NBA champions -- could be FSG minority owner ' separate NBA ownership ambitions.

James, a four-time MVP and the league's all-time leading scorer, expressed how in 2022 in a direct message to the league's commissioner Adam Silver.

"It's the best fan base in the world," James said following a Los Angeles Lakers preseason game in Vegas. "I would love to bring a team here at some point."

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"I know [NBA Commissioner] Adam [Silver] is in Abu Dhabi right now, I believe," James continued, "But he probably sees every single interview and transcript that comes through from NBA players. So, I want the team here, Adam, thank you."

James, aged 40, will not be able to own a team so long as he's in the league. The recent CBA indicates how "no NBA player may acquire or hold a direct or indirect interest in the ownership of any NBA Team or in any company or entity, whether privately or publicly owned, that owns any interest in any NBA Team."

FSG purchased Liverpool from previous owners George N. Gillett and Tom Hicks in 2010. James joined as a minority stakeholder in 2011 and saw his stake rise to roughly one percent in 2021.

FSG purchased the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball back in 2002 and bought a controlling stake in the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins in 2021.

Celtics controlling owner Wyc Grousbeck's family bought the franchise for $360 million in 2002 and has seen the team's value increase more than twelve-fold.

Surprisingly, the Celtics ownership group announced that it would be selling a majority stake in the team after the Celtics captured the 2023-24 NBA championship in June. Grousbeck would like to stay on as the team's governor for a handful of years before fully transitioning out of the organization by 2028, though.

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With the first round of bids for the Celtics due on Thursday, Jan 23, a host of interested parties have emerged.

They include Mark Bezos – the brother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos – as well as current co-owners Steve Pagliuca (co-chairman of Bain Capital and co-owner of Serie A side Atalanta) and Robert Hale.