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As the Boston Celtics franchise goes on the market, Kevin Garnett made it clear that potential buyers need to be aware of rabid nature of the team's fanbase, with the former Celtic hitting out at Jeff Bezos.
On the Ticket & the Truth podcast, Celtics legends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discussed the sale of the franchise.
Pierce speculated that the new owner might be an unknown figure, while Garnett hinted that a tech giant could step in.
More crucially, Garnett stressed that the new owner must share Wyc Grousbeck's commitment to the fans, with the owner having steered the team to the 2024 NBA Championship.
"Wyc always felt a deep responsibility to honor the franchise's history and to nurture it," Garnett told the Ticket and the Truth podcast.
"Whoever takes over will need to have a similar mindset.
"If someone comes in just to make a quick profit, Boston fans will see through that. They're not afraid to express their discontent if they feel disrespected."
Why isn't Jeff Bezos interested?
Boston sports fans, whether they the Celtics or any other local team, are known for their intense loyalty and high expectations.
They show up for victories as if it's their right and respond strongly when things go wrong. For any new owner, winning the fans' favor is crucial, especially with the looming luxury tax bill facing the Celtics.
While Jeff Bezos would have been an ideal candidate due to his deep pockets, he has reportedly withdrawn his interest.
Initially, there was speculation that Bezos, who has shown interest in sports investments, might consider buying the Celtics. His substantial wealth could have ed the team's championship aspirations and other improvements.
However, according to recent reports from Nick Wingfield of The Information, there was never any serious intention from Bezos to purchase the team.
This leaves the potential buyers as FSG (Fenway Sports Group), which includes LeBron James as a partner, and Steve Pagliuca, a minority owner.
The group have looked to bolster their portfolio of sports teams alongside Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox.