 General Basketball WiretapCeltics Sold to Private Investment GroupBoston Basketball Partners, L.P., a local private investment group, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the Boston Celtics basketball team of the National Basketball Association. Co-Managing Partners of Boston Basketball Partners, L P. are Wycliffe (Wyc) Grousbeck, a General Partner at Highland Capital Partners, H. Irving Grousbeck, Co-Founder of Continental Cablevision, and Stephen Pagliuca, a Managing Director at Bain Capital. "We are delighted to reach this agreement, but we fully understand that nobody really owns the Celtics except the people and basketball fans of Boston, the State of Massachusetts and New England," said Wyc Grousbeck, Co-Managing Partner of Boston Basketball Partners. "As long-time community residents and Celtics fans, our goal is to build on the success that has already been achieved by the team's strong management, coaching staff and players. We look forward to years of involvement with one of the greatest sports teams ever." "The NBA has enjoyed tremendous growth and success by developing terrific young talent, and the Celtics are a great example of this philosophy in action," said Steve Pagliuca, one of the Co-Managing Partners. "The Celtics have always enjoyed a close relationship with this community, and we are committed to further strengthening that bond. We invite the active participation and tremendous energy of the local business community in support of one of the greatest franchises in professional sports." Boston Celtics, General Basketball Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Kidd says he wants to remain with NetsThe Associated Press reports: New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd, runner-up in the MVP voting last season, wants to remain with the team for the rest of his career. Kidd has the option to and likely will be a free agent after next season but cannot sign a contract until then. But he said Tuesday that the Nets remain his No. 1 choice. After spending the summer in New Jersey, the Californian said he considers himself "an East Coast guy.'' Asked if he would sign immediately if league rules permitted, Kidd said: "No. That's too easy. You've got to make them sweat.'' Kidd spoke at a luncheon announcing that he won the Thurman Munson Award, which is presented by The Association for the Help of Retarded Children and honors the memory of the New York Yankees catcher who died in an airplane crash in 1979. New Jersey Nets, General Basketball Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Olowokandi accepts Clippers one year qualifying offerThe Associated Press reports: Restricted free agent Michael Olowokandi has accepted the one-year qualifying offer of about $6.1 million extended by the Los Angeles Clippers nearly three months ago. Negotiations on a long-term deal stalled last week, and the 7-foot, 270-pound center will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. ''I'm looking forward to getting to work,'' the 27-year-old said in a statement issued by the team Monday. ''We have a very good team, and I'm excited to get the season under way.'' Olowokandi averaged 11.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots last season -- his fourth with the Clippers, who made him the first overall pick in the 1998 pick. He averaged 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots in 77 career games at the University of Pacific. ''We expect that Michael will work hard to continue to improve, and that he will be prepared to make a big contribution to our team's success this year,'' said Elgin Baylor, the Clippers' vice president of basketball operations. Los Angeles Clippers, General Basketball Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Sep 2002 Archive
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