New Celtics owner Chisholm eyes championships, weighs WNBA bid

Bill Chisholm, the new majority owner of the Boston Celtics, told reporters Thursday he plans to protect the franchise's championship ambitions while keeping options open on a range of longer term matters, from a potential WNBA team in Boston to whether the Celtics will remain at TD Garden. Chisholm addressed the media at the Auerbach Center in his first press conference since the NBA approved his group's roughly $6.1 billion purchase of the team last month.

Chisholm said he and his family are "grateful to be part of this Celtics organization" and pledged to be an engaged owner while backing the front office's moves. He acknowledged the franchise faces short term challenges after a busy offseason and Jayson Tatum's ongoing recovery from a March Achilles tear. "We're going to do everything we can to win. That is job No. 1. And not just win games, win championships," he said. Seated with Chisholm were outgoing lead owner Wyc Grousbeck, who will remain CEO and alternate governor until the sale is fully finalized, Brad Stevens, Rich Gotham and minority owner Aditya Mittal.

Chisholm defended the strategic roster changes made this summer, which included trading or parting with Al...