Mario Ho is now an official co-owner of the Boston Celtics, regarded as the most successful team in the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s history. Ho, the youngest son of casino tycoon Stanley Ho, made the announcement on social media yesterday – describing the purchase as “undoubtedly one of the happiest moments of my life.”
According to a Boston Celtics official press release, the team was purchased for a “historic US$6.1 billion” and set a new record for the biggest buyout in the history of US sports. That was in March, however, and the sum was eclipsed in June – when the Los Angeles Lakers were bought for about US$10 billion. The Lakers are also part of the NBA, North America’s premier basketball league.
The investor group that Ho, 30, was part of to purchase the Celtics is led by US businessman William “Bill” Chisholm and includes at least six other investors, along with global investment firm Sixth Street. The press release did not reveal how much money Ho contributed, but he thanked Chisholm in his post.
[See more: Mario Ho on his esports company’s expansion during an industry downturn]
“Thank you Bill, for letting me join the consortium and this record breaking deal,” he wrote. “As a lifelong Celtics fan, I’ll continue to give my everything to the organisation; the responsibilities officially start now! Tears of joy cloud my eyes as l write all this, this is undoubtedly one of the happiest moments of my life.”
Ho has become one of the youngest co-owners in the NBA league and will serve on the Celtics’ board.
He is also the youngest founder of a Nasdaq-listed company in Asia. His company, NIP Group, was the first US-listed Chinese esports firm. Ho was included in last year’s Forbes China list of ‘30 Under 30’, a prestigious list published annually which highlights 30 notable entrepreneurs under the age of 30.
Two NBA teams – Brooklyn Nets versus Phoenix Suns – are headed to Macao in October for the 2025 NBA China Games at the Venetian Arena. They will play two pre-season exhibition games as part of a multi-year deal between Sands China and the NBA.
