Grousbeck talks about the Celtics’ new jersey sponsor and tells a joke about Tatum’s contract

Grousbeck talks about the Celtics’ new jersey sponsor and tells a joke about Tatum’s contract originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics’ busy offseason continued on Tuesday with another update on the business front.

The Celtics announced a multi-year partnership with Rhode Island-based insurance company Amica that will replace Vistaprint as the team’s jersey patch partner beginning in the 2024-25 season.

Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck was on hand for the sponsorship announcement Tuesday morning outside TD Garden, and although he did not speak the surprising decision of the ownership group to sell the teamGrousbeck couldn’t resist joking about the timing of the Celtics’ new contract with Amica after the front office handed a five-year, $314 million contract extension to superstar Jayson Tatum earlier this month.

“Basically, you can say you’re just funding Jayson Tatum — for a few weeks,” Grousbeck joked.

Grousbeck – whose family, led by his father, Irving Grousbeck, owns a controlling stake in the team – shed more light on the pending sale of the Celtics on Monday in an interview with CNBCconfirming that it intends to remain until 2028, when the sale is fully completed.

“The expectation is to sell the team in two parts: 51 percent going soon, 49 percent closing in a second closing in 2028,” Grousbeck told CNBC. “I’m planning or hoping to stay until 28, and we’re going to hire bankers and consultants. It’s going to be a very competitive process.”

There should be a lot of interest in the Celtics, who just completed their 18th championship and are valued at US$5.1 billion, according to Sportico. In the meantime, however, Grousbeck is still relishing the franchise’s latest success: The C’s co-owner happily recapped the results of Boston’s four playoff series in 2024 while discussing his new partnership with Amica.

“(Amica is) highly rated… When you read it, it’s Consumer Reports, Forbes and JD Power – top marks out of all,” Grousbeck said.

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“Our rankings are similar: the Miami Heat 4-1 (in the first round) – what will they say? The Cavaliers 4-1 (in the second round), the Pacers 4-0 (in the Eastern Conference Finals), the Mavs 4-1 (in the NBA Finals). So we have some people signing our titles too, I think it’s a great time to bring the two companies together.

Check out the video player above to hear more from Grousbeck about Tuesday’s sponsorship announcement.