Larry Bird returning to the Boston Celtics organization in 2025 under new ownership*.
BREAKING NEWS: Larry Bird Returns to Boston Celtics as Co-Owner and Senior Executive**
**BOSTON — July 18, 2025** — In a move that has sent shockwaves across the basketball world, the Boston Celtics announced today that **Larry Bird**, the legendary forward and three-time NBA champion, is officially returning to the franchise — not as a coach, not as a consultant, but as a **co-owner and Senior Executive Advisor to Basketball Operations**.
The announcement was made early Friday morning in a formal press release issued by the new ownership group led by billionaire **Bill Chisholm** and his family. Bird’s return marks a historic homecoming, nearly 30 years after his last formal role with the organization and over four decades since he first wore the iconic green-and-white jersey.
> “Larry Bird *is* the Boston Celtics,” said Chisholm in an emotional press conference. “His passion, his leadership, and his understanding of the game are unparalleled. It’s time we bring him home — not just as a symbol, but as a force in building our future.”
This development represents not just a symbolic reunion, but a **strategic realignment** of the Celtics’ organizational philosophy — blending legacy with innovation, tradition with disruption.
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## 🏀 **The Return of a Legend**
Larry Bird, now 68, is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history. A Hall of Famer, 12-time All-Star, and three-time MVP, Bird led the Celtics to championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986. After retiring in 1992 due to chronic back issues, Bird served in various capacities in the NBA, including as head coach and later president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers.
Bird has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years, working quietly as a consultant for Indiana. His re-emergence in Boston marks a return to the franchise where his basketball legacy was born — and now, where he hopes to help write a new chapter.
> “I never thought I’d be back,” said Bird, appearing at the press conference in a classic Celtics warm-up jacket. “But the right people called, and the timing felt right. Boston’s always been home to me in one way or another. I’m ready to help bring Banner 19 to this city.”
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## 🧾 **The Deal Behind the Deal**
According to sources close to the ownership group, Bird will be a **minority co-owner** with a reported **2.5% equity stake** in the Celtics — a stake valued at roughly **\$152 million**, based on the franchise’s latest valuation of \$6.1 billion following the March 2025 sale. This would make Bird one of the most prominent former players to hold an ownership position in a franchise they once played for.
Bill Chisholm, a Boston-based investor with deep family roots in Massachusetts, reportedly approached Bird in early May with the idea of returning to the Celtics not just as a figurehead, but as a **decision-making stakeholder**. Chisholm’s family, long-time Celtics season ticket holders, has often spoken publicly of Bird’s influence on their love of the game.
> “Larry is not just a player or a symbol to us,” said Chisholm’s son and business partner, Ben Chisholm. “He’s our North Star.”
The Chisholm group’s acquisition of the Celtics is expected to be officially ratified by the NBA Board of Governors by September 2025. Bird’s involvement was reportedly a key factor in the NBA’s enthusiastic early response to the ownership change.
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## 🧠 **Bird’s New Role: Advisor, Architect, and Ambassador**
Bird’s official title within the organization will be **Senior Executive Advisor to Basketball Operations** — a role that grants him input on player development, draft strategies, free agency moves, and overall team philosophy. He will also serve as an **ambassador for the franchise**, appearing at key events and acting as a bridge between the Celtics’ storied past and its ambitious future.
Team President **Brad Stevens**, a former coach turned executive, welcomed the move:
> “Having Larry in the building changes everything,” said Stevens. “His basketball mind, his competitive fire, his understanding of Celtics culture — it’s like adding a Hall of Famer to our front office lineup.”
Insiders say Bird’s influence has already begun to ripple through the organization. According to Celtics insiders, he was instrumental in advising the team’s front office during recent Summer League evaluations and is said to be mentoring some of the younger players privately.
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## 🌟 **Players React: From Jayson Tatum to Al Horford**
Star forward **Jayson Tatum** called the announcement “surreal” and “goosebump-inducing.”
> “It’s Larry Bird,” Tatum said in an Instagram post. “THE Larry Bird. To have him around, talking shop, giving tips — that’s legendary. This is a dream for every Celtic.”
Veteran center **Al Horford**, who recently re-signed with Boston for a final season, echoed similar sentiments.
> “I grew up watching highlights of Larry and reading stories about how he’d trash-talk you *while* hitting game-winners. To now have him in the front office — it’s going to give this team even more edge.”
Rookie guard **Jayden Carter**, Boston’s top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, said he received a call from Bird just days before joining the team:
> “He told me, ‘Play hard, pass smart, and make your damn free throws.’ I’ll never forget that.”
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## 📉 **From Frustration to Revival: Bird’s Relationship With Boston**
Bird’s relationship with the Celtics front office became strained in the 1990s, particularly during his brief flirtation with coaching the team in the post-Rick Pitino era. After unsuccessful talks and front office turbulence, Bird opted to work with the Indiana Pacers, a franchise closer to his home in French Lick, Indiana.
In recent years, however, Bird has been increasingly open to rekindling his connection with Boston. His appearance at the Celtics’ 2023 Finals run was a turning point, according to sources close to the team. Bird attended Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals that year and reportedly spent time with Stevens and Celtics legend Paul Pierce after the game.
> “He never wanted to leave forever,” said Danny Ainge, former Celtics GM. “He just wanted it to be *right* if he ever came back. And this? This is right.”
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## 🏆 **What This Means for the Celtics’ Future**
Bird’s return comes at a pivotal moment for the Celtics. The team has been a perennial contender since 2017, but has struggled to cross the championship threshold despite multiple deep playoff runs. With the team’s core — Tatum, Brown, and Holiday — still intact, and under new ownership eager to invest, the Celtics now look to enter a new dynasty era.
> “I’m not coming back to take a victory lap,” Bird said. “I’m here to win. Period.”
Chisholm and Bird are reportedly aligned on one core belief: Boston should not only dominate the court but set the standard for **player development**, **analytics integration**, and **cultural cohesion**.
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## 🌍 **A Cultural and Financial Power Move**
Larry Bird’s return isn’t just about basketball — it’s about branding. Within hours of the announcement, the Celtics’ social media engagement spiked 300%, and pre-orders for limited-edition “Bird Back” merchandise reportedly sold out in under 90 minutes.
ESPN has announced a 6-part docuseries titled **“Home Court: Larry’s Return”** to air later this year. The series will follow Bird’s reentry into the Celtics’ ecosystem and explore the legacy he helped build — and now seeks to evolve.
Meanwhile, Celtics ownership has begun discussions to launch the **“Bird Center for Excellence,”** a new training and analytics complex set to open in 2027.
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## 💬 **Final Thoughts from Bird**
> “I’ve got nothing to prove,” Bird said at the end of the press conference. “But I’ve got something to give — to the players, to the fans, and to this city. I never really left. I’ve always been watching. Now, I’m back in the game.”
The NBA world watches with bated breath. For the Celtics, for Boston, and for Bird himself — this may be the most meaningful comeback of all.
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## 🕰️ **Timeline of Bird’s Involvement with Boston Celtics**
| Year | Role |
| ——— | —————————————- |
| 1978 | Drafted 6th overall by Celtics |
| 1979–1992 | Played 13 seasons, 3x NBA Champion |
| 1992–1997 | Retired, minimal Celtics involvement |
| 1997–2017 | Joined Indiana Pacers (coach, exec) |
| 2023 | Appeared at Celtics ECF game |
| 2025 | Returns as co-owner and Senior Executive |
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## 📺 **What’s Next?**
* **NBA Board of Governors Approval**: Expected by September 2025
* **Bird’s First Official Game as Executive**: Celtics 2025 preseason opener at TD Garden
* **Hall of Fame Ceremony (Special Guest)**: October 2025
* **”Home Court: Larry’s Return” Docuseries Release**: November 2025
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