Wyc Grousbeck on ’08 & ’24 titles w/ Pierce & Tatum, SELLING HIS HOUSE to buy Celtics | Jeff Teague

Wyc Grousbeck on ’08 & ’24 titles w/ Pierce & Tatum, SELLING HIS HOUSE to buy Celtics | Jeff Teague

Yo yo yo. What’s happening, Fanatics FX? How y’all doing? Yo yo yo, baby. Good energy for sure. For sure. For sure, man. You know what it is. Club 520 podcast live at Fanatics FX, man. We appreciate y’all pulling up. We got some dope guests pulling up. But first and foremost, man, I’m the host. My name is DJ Wills. You know what it is. Same gang with me on the road. To my far left, we got my dog Bishop Behley. How you nasty? What’s happening, Nasty? Hey, make sure y’all wear that Tommy John. Put them draws on. Put them hats on. You know what I mean? Shout out to Tommy John, baby. Hey, I ain’t going to lie. I put them draws on crazy. Get right. Get right. Shout out to Tommy John for sure. To my far right, my dog Young Nacho Young Teague. How you want? I’m chilling, bro. Happy to be here. They got a nice crowd. It’s going to be a vibe for sure. Most definitely, man. We going to kick it off first, man. We got a special special guest in the building, man. Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and you most best know him as the former owner of the Boston Celtics, man. We got the one and only Mr. Way Gusman in the building. Appreciate you, big dog. Join us on stage. Hey, for the Knicks fans, nice win, but this is what a ring looks like. Show that ring. Show that ring. Show that ring. One time. I like that energy. Yeah. Hold on before we start, man. You got to break the ring down. You got to I know what you shared with us back there. Tell us tell them what’s inside the ring, man. All right. Hang on to this. All right. inside there. You open it up. Banner 18. Yeah. Yeah. That’s the parket floor. The final score, Boston 106, Dallas 88. Belt ass. Most definitely, man. Before we get started, man, you know the vibes. We got a shout out to Boost Mobile, man. Boost Mobile Powers Club 520. We appreciate y’all. You know what it is. $25. How long? Where they at? with the team, man. It’s 5G nationwide. $25. Hey, no hike prices. It’s going to be $25. You going to step in, you going to get that $25. Come on, man. You need a burner phone. Get your girl a phone. Anybody need a phone, tap in with Boost Mobile. What’s a burner phone? Well, we’ll talk to you about that off the court. We’ll tell you later. You got to hide the championship ring for the burner phone. Most definitely, man. But first things first, we appreciate you having us on the show, man. Man, you are a man of many hats, but we want to say, you know, you grew up Massachusetts. What’s it like being able to purchase your favorite team? I’m the luckiest guy. I was 41 years old. It was 2002 and I That was back when you could mortgage your house and buy an NBA team. And that’s what I did. I never had any money, but I didn’t do it for money. I did it for love. I did it for love. Jeff Teague was on our team. A great person, a great player. Uh, but the Celtics are a way of life and I’m very lucky to be able to have my hometown team. Man, that is beautiful. You made a very interesting point. You said mortgage or house? I was going to ask I don’t even know how how do you even start the process of acquiring the team, but you said starting with the mortgage refinance. It started that I went to the garden. I’ve been born and raised. I went there and it was half empty in 2002. The team wasn’t playing well. And I’m like, this is half empty. And I’m like, I wonder who’s the owner. And they said, “Oh, he lives down in New York and he he turns out to be a very nice guy.” I went to find him. They said he hadn’t been here in three and a half, four years. He hadn’t come to the games. Wow. And I but a very nice guy. But so I’m like, “Wonder if he might be interested in selling.” And so I go down and find him and shake his hand and say, “What do you want?” I said, “I’d like to buy the Celtics.” And he goes, “They’re not for sale.” And I said, “Well, is there a crazy number?” And he named a crazy number like way too high, really. But I didn’t have the money. I said, “I don’t have the money, but I’ll get it in four months, three and a half months.” And I So, I didn’t give him a chance. And so he’s I I took his price. I didn’t negotiate. He named the number. It was a record. And I I just said, “Okay, I figure I could probably get it.” And I And then then I said, “I’ll wire you this much next week to keep. You just keep it a a deposit.” And I named a number, which wasn’t very much for the team, but it was a lot for me. And he goes, “All right, you know, what’s he going to do?” He had to say, “Yes, free money.” Yeah. So, I shake his hand. I go home, mortgage my house, send him the money. And then 3 months later, I had 25 partners and we had all the money and I lost 17 pounds. I didn’t eat or sleep. Wow. I looked like Jeff T. Anyway, very lucky story, man. You was locked in. That’s a hell of a story. But I did it totally for love. I I I just did it for love. Yeah. And you could tell by the way the organization was ran obviously under your tutelage. The love was back in the guard. You had what? Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker back then. Yeah. Yeah. So I got So I got to ask, what’s it like first day? You the man. Biggest f one of the biggest franchises in sports history. One of the craziest fan base ever. What’s it like day one when you lock in? I So hold on. What’s your first adjustment? M oh the first adjustment I made some changes on the business side and within a year the top of the business side who were nice guys but they weren’t seeing eye to eye then that general manager and then the whole coaching staff they were all gone they came and cleaned house and I am not funny I I shouldn’t I mean it’s not funny I had never run a business I hadn’t run a McDonald’s I hadn’t run anything but I just had to try to do it with my gut and these are good people and nice people. But we made changes and it ended up that we ended up it maybe it could have worked out if I didn’t make the changes. I want to say that. But it worked out when we did make the change. Yeah. Okay. We brought in Danny A. Yeah. And then we brought in Brad Stevens. Oh, Doc Rivers and Brad Stevens. And I promoted Brad to GM and uh now we got Joe Missoula and we got two rings along the way. Yes, sir. Uh speaking of Brad Stevens, when I was in Boston for my short period of time, he changed my name. I don’t know if you heard the story. My name is Jeff Teague. Y’all had Jason Tatum on the team at the time. I’m the real JT, but he changed my name to Jet. So, you might hear people out here calling me Jet. And um it was a funny story. I think I was in my 12th year. JT might have been in his fifth or sixth year. And I lost my name to Jason Tatum. And I wanted to know, was I the real JT or was he really real JT? Well, I got I I’m going to see you today, but I’m going to see him for the next six years. Answer. I’m just going to call you Dave. I got a whole new name. Dave T. I guess my I got a cousin named Dave. All right. Oh, man. Okay, we going to skip around a little bit, though. But first things first, I want to ask you, obviously, you know what I’m saying? We see the bling bling. Which championship felt better, 08 or 2024? I don’t have to choose, but um the first one could be luck. The second one feels a little more like what do you got? You know, it locks it in. Plus, this one, my wife Ameilia and I are together. Uh we got married 8 years ago. She got her parade. Yeah. It was heaven. Oh, that’s they’re heaven. Was that first championship when you made the big trade for Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, was there any kind of nerves there? Did you know like, hey, we all in right here. We got to win it or was it like, hey, whatever happens happens. There was nerves because that was I think three max contracts at once with Ray. Yeah. And I had to gather my partners together and I said, if this works, we’re going to win. Yeah, if it doesn’t work and it blows up, we got a big a lot of contract numbers here and we’re going to have to do a capital call around we’re going to have to each chip in more money, you know, if this goes really bad cuz we’re we’re putting everything pushing everything in. And um and I looked at him, I said, are we okay with that? I want to I want to do it for my part, but I’m not a super wealthy guy, you know, like that. And we would all have to do it, you know what I mean? And so I’m just saying, are we all good going for it? And the very I looked at the very first guy. I picked him on purpose and he said, “I will do it and I’ll do the part of anybody else that can’t do it.” Wow. And so he set the whole time. His name’s Paul Edggerly, a great guy to this day. And the whole group, we were all in. And then it did work out. But, you know, it was scary. We don’t do this for money. We do it for love at the Celtics. But but um that doesn’t mean you know so you do you you do everything you can but that was scary. I can I can imagine like growing up at that time and watching basketball and having you guys having Rondo and all those great players. Mhm. Did you expect more championships from that team or was it like uh the one was good enough? No, we were close. Yeah, we had that three-year run. 08 we were 66 and 16 and we beat the Lakers by 39 points in game six. Okay, that was that was fun. Beating the Lakers badass. That was fun. My license plate on my car is 39. Wow. Only only the late Kobe and I know what that’s for, you know. And Kobe was amazing. And then anyway, 09 was our better team. We started 20 27 and two. Um and then we had injuries to KG and Rondo. Um but 09 might have been the best team. And then 2010 we were leading the finals three to two and then lost the last two. Perk got hurt or whatever. We lost uh on the road in LA and it was in game seven. That was a very low point. So we had three good teams there. That’s interesting that you say that because a lot of people see Kendrick Perkins on TV and have a difference opinions about him. But if he’s not hurt in 2010, y’all win that chip. We probably did. And I love Perk to this day. Um, he wasn’t invited to our parade last year. That is true. Uh, because he had been giving people a lot of [ __ ] Uh, you know, and uh, so I had family members of players saying, “If that guy’s in the parade, we’re not in the parade.” I said, “Well, that’s you know, okay, you win.” Yeah. You should see what I’ll try to get Jeff Tegan back in Gainesbridge. It’s the same type of conversation. Oh, yeah. I’m not welcome in the Pacers facilities anymore, but it’s all good for sure, man. Uh, we got a gift for you though. We appreciate you pulling up. Shout out to the crowd, man. Make sure y’all rock your Tommy John. Got to get you some Tommy John here, sir. Oh, thank you. Absolutely, sir. Man, one time for Tommy John. We appreciate y’all. Today’s hot take. Ball handling matters. Pause. Yeah. Not on the court, but I’m talking about in your draws. Keep your balls handled with Tommy John. Underwear. Tommy John has up the four times more stretch than Kabi brand. Soft, breathable fabrics. Man, tap in with Tommy John, man. Take care of yourself. Right. Presented with underwear before and it’s a big thrill. Yeah, thank you very much. Make sure you check the sizes on them, too. I don’t think they one size fits. What do you say? Yeah, usually they throw the draws once they not the other way around, but you know what I’m saying? We here anyway for sure. Now, I wanted to talk to you about the tequila brand, Sakuro. Yes, sir. How did that start? How did that come about? Um, my wife is going to be thrilled. She runs it, but it’s with it was uh I met Amelia nine nine 10 years ago. Okay. And on the labor committee talking to the players, it was me and Michael Jordan and Jeannie Bus of the Lakers and Wes Edens. And the four of us are very good friends for years and years and years. Ownership in the league. We all do stick together. You know, I said, “You got to meet Amelia. Let’s go out.” So, we all went out. By the end of that dinner and then another dinner, they’re like, “She’s unbelievable.” And we’re starting a tequila. Wow. So, the five of us, that’s the Sinko five. Oh. and Oro for gold. And we’ve sold 2 and a half million bottles. We won 29 gold medals in spirits competitions and we’re going global. That’s dope. Yeah. But MJ is an amazing partner. Genie West and Ameilia, they’re amazing partners. Okay, cool. Thank you. And that’s interesting that you say that cuz our first time having Sakura was actually with him. He’s the one that introduced us to that. So, small world for sure. We won the championship in 20 uh 2021 and I celebrated with a bottle the whole night. I walked around Wes like, “Hey, you like it? I love it.” I had We put those in the Lakers locker room, I think. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yep. And we we drank it all night. But I had it at my house. I thought I was cool. I thought I knew I had the inside scoop. Thank you. We never seen that bottle before. That’s a beautiful bottle. So, you don’t wear your ring at the podcast? Nah, I don’t I don’t want to stunt on him like that, man. You know what I mean? And I don’t wear it. His ain’t that big though. Yeah, it is. It’s that big. I got more diamonds a month. Oh. Hold on, G. Don’t get on. Okay. Well, just wait till next year. Did you Hey, did you think y’all was going to win this year? Who was that? Did you think y’all was going to win this year? Yeah, I thought we had a chance. Um, the Knicks played real well, to be honest. And, uh, then obviously JT got hurt, but they were already beating us before then, so that was a down year. It was a little disappointing, but um uh I I don’t know who’s going to win game seven. The Pacers are coming. It’s in OKC. It’s probably OKC, but good job Pacers. Oh, I know who going to win. You see the hat right there? You know the vibes. Pacers in seven. It’s up. JT told me that was the hardest series they had on the championship run against the Pacers. He was like it was. Yeah, that’s what he said. And we and we SW Oh, let me check. On the inside of [Laughter] Yeah. Know it says right here cuz people were dissing us about like who’ you beat. I’m like we’re on the inside. Yeah. Says Boston 4, Miami won, Boston 4, Cleveland won. Boston Ford, Indiana. Nothing. Boston for Dallas one. Yeah, G. Nothing is crazy. We had to have that on. I mean, it’s not like we just snuck by. We’re 16 and three. The hardest was the Pacers. Even though it was four nothing, every one of those games we were behind. Yeah. And we had to come back and they were a very, very good team. Yeah. Go ahead. Most definitely. Now, I want to ask um obviously the league changes so much. Um you look at what’s going on now with the way free agency is going. How did you adjust as an owner with the different periods with the new payments of contracts, the way people wanted to go to different destinations, just the way the league changes? How do you adjust like that? And does it start with you? Do you funnel down to the rest of your organization or do you go get people who fit the changes that the league is going towards? Yeah, I mean, we don’t have a team where the players put it together. You know, our 08 team was Danny putting it together with a brilliant move. We waited three years to get Garnett and got ready for it and built up people like Al Jefferson and Tony Allen who we loved both of them but could include them in trades. Not Tony actually I was wrong but but Al is the centerpiece for seven to one for Garnett and and so we build up for that for three years. That was Danny. We put you know he and we put the team together and then we made the trade in 13 and had those draft picks. We picked Jaylen and Jason. Yeah. So, but we did have a period of time Kyrie came and he thought maybe he could put something together and was thinking about making calls and then he ended up just feeling like he would try to do that somewhere else and I respect that. We’re friends to this day. Um, so I don’t know if we ever adjusted to it or not. Okay, this this one I mean I don’t have a problem with it but the team Well, first of all, there’s no league without the players and people are not playing to come see me. Obviously, they’re paying to see the players. So, they get to do what they want to do and we’re all benefiting from them. Yeah, definitely. I want to ask how important is that for like a owner and player like relationship? It’s it’s amazing. I mean, first of all, the the guys know that the the owners in general and and in our case for sure, all my whole group, we’re in it to win it. Yeah. They don’t have any doubts um about that. And we, you know, we try to do everything first class. Not everything always works out right or whatever, but um we are we legitimately are friends. And then when you win together, you’re friends for life. No, for sure. For sure. I mean, it’s just I see KG of all people. Yeah. And he’s like running across the room or I’m running across the room. We see Shaq when he’s DJing and he’ll stop and bring my wife up onto the like the deck, you know? I mean, it’s just it’s magic. No, for sure. Love those guys. What’s up? No, it’s amazing. The organization is first class. When I was there, I always made fun of cuz I came from Atlanta. And not saying it’s not first class, but when I first got to Atlanta, we didn’t have a practice facility. Really nice. They have those they have those things now, but when I got to Boston, I’m like, “Yeah, it’s a little different.” The vibe here is different. We getting It was co time, so we were getting the meals and all the extra stuff you guys were giving us, and I was just like, I see why people fall in love with being here. Amazing organization. Well, there’s a big history. We’re just trying to keep it going, you know, and thank you for being there. No, thank you. For sure. I have a question for you. Uh when you see things happen like the Luca tray, right, catches everybody off guard. Um what the [ __ ] I was going to ask what was your initial reaction to that and it’s just like do y’all hop in the owners group chat like hey yo what’s really going on cuz like y’all really kind of set the tone of how everybody has to conduct business going forward. Well I you know I hate to I I don’t want to really pick on anybody but I I’ll give you an honest answer. I think if we traded somebody of that level, which we’re not, um, but if we were, we would call everybody and it would probably leak out, but you just got to take it and then you get five picks back or six. Yeah. I mean, Bane got four picks in a swap. Yeah. And they got like one pick or maybe two. Mhm. And I so I mean it just feels like um you know but they now they’re ending up with Cooper Flag but it’s not it not all connected really that way. I don’t know. I just I guess I feel like it it must have been painful for them to do it so they didn’t want to let everybody know about it probably. And I that’s kind of human nature I guess. Yeah. Yeah. I just wonder cuz like you probably open up your phone like everybody else did at 1:00 in the morning and said what is this intel? Like, yeah, if I was awake at 1:00 in the morning, I would have opened up. I’m a grown-up. Most definitely. Now, again, the I’m a grown up, but he’s in a rock band. Yeah, I was going to say you up late working, man. I know. I know. I might have been up. Now, we look across the league and some of the recent news that just took place. Uh, the Lakers obviously, uh, big news of them transition from different ownership. Again, something else that sets the tone in the NBA. you see something like that, especially with the bus family, long ownership of the team. Not saying what’s your thoughts behind it cuz obviously you’re good friends, business partners with her, but what’s your initial reaction to like really like this is going on now? Yeah, I mean my family had a right after 20 years to ask me to sell for on behalf of all of us and so we are the Celtics are just got sold. We’re going to I’m going to sell my piece in 2028. Others are going out now in 2025. So the Celtics have new ownership coming in. It was a really good group. Uh, and that must have given Jeanie an idea. And she she’s so much of a good friend that when Ameilia and I got married, Jeanie like presided at the wedding. Oh my god. And she literally said, “Wick, if you don’t marry her, I will.” Which is funny cuz Jeanie’s straight. But anyway, uh, you know, so we’re close friends. So, um, the Selics and Lakers are changing hands. Um, you know, we got a new media deal and a whole new future for the league and and a lot of people really want to come in. Nobody buys these things for money, especially at these prices. Yeah. You can’t say you’re gonna get rich off of it. You got to be one of those people and then say, “This is the time of my life.” And I can tell you personally, it’s been the time of my life. For sure. Was dope. Now, is there any moves that you regret not doing? Oh, I’m sure. Uh I Well, I do regret like trading Purk to be honest. Okay. That was one that we all thought about and there was discussions around the table and I got to sign off on the trades as the governor lead owner and um you know I feel like I got kind of talked into it but I did sign off. It’s not, you know, we’re all in it and it it, you know, Jeff Green came back and then he had a health problem and, you know, nothing against Jeff Green and he just won a championship, you know. So, um, you know, but anyway, our team didn’t feel the same uh after Perk was gone. So, not everything goes perfect. Not that everything can win perfect this year. You know, JT lost his Achilles. So yeah, um you just you go for the highs and you get through the lows and you uh you have a brotherhood that lasts for life. Most definitely. Uh obviously we in New York, you know, the Knicks moved on from Tibs in that situation. They saw how that unfolded. Um in that situation, how do you go about when you have to make a decision like that, you go to everybody and think about it? Cuz I know it’s easy to overreact in a moment, right? Not always. Not always. I had one coach who told me, I’m not going to mention who, but one coach uh who told me years and years ago, uh, we see you working out in the gym at our old practice facility. You wouldn’t have liked it. This wasn’t very nice. Um, and uh, and I’m like, “Yeah, I’m working out. I’m working out at 8:00 a.m. and the guys come in at like 10:00, you know, or whatever.” And he goes, “Well, it’s players only. That’s the NBA way.” And I’m like, “But there’s nobody here and it’s my gym and I’m going to work out.” And the next day I come in and there’s a sign says players only. Oh. So that guy ended up departing. I was like, “He won’t be coaching very long.” And I I didn’t ask anybody. That’s the thing. you just now that’s a probably a jerky thing to say in that way but when you’re running something and there’s something just going the complete opposite direction I I don’t put up with it for sure and then I take the blame if it doesn’t work and I get the ring if it does actually the trophy’s in my living room wow the both of them now that’s fire so you’re going to take the trophy you also got to take the blame that’s all Anyway, I like that. Can I ask you how any Celtics fans out there? I saw a few. Hey, I got a All right. Look, I’ll meet you. I’ll meet you over here at the end and if you want to take a picture with a ring. All right, that’s fire. That’s dope. Did How did you know Brad Stevens was like the perfect guy? Cuz when I was there, Brad was the coach and he was kind of telling me he was going to try to transition to something else. How did you know he was the perfect guy to move up to the front office? Cuz the teams he’s putting together are amazing. That happened real quick. I didn’t know, but Danny came to me and said, “Look, I’m gonna move on for medical, you know, just because of my stage of life.” Um, and I’m like, “Danny, I don’t want you to leave.” Uh, but all right. And so I knew I had to get somebody. I called in Brad owner and the coach is the general manager. And we got to all three be on the same page. You got to be able to say yes, no, yes, no, but agree at the end and not have a fight about it. just agree and respect. I said, “We need a partner.” And uh who what’s the short list? And Brad led me off this this short list of six GM candidates. And I’m like, “I don’t want that guy. I don’t want that guy. And I don’t know the other four. We don’t have anybody here.” And then I looked at him. I looked at him and said, “Brad, it might be you because you’ve been here 8 years, nine years and you are a partner and you know putting together teams at Butler and you’ve worked with Danny here. This could actually be you.” He did not ask for the job. I said, “I think it’s you.” Said, “I got to think about it.” I said, “Tell me tomorrow morning.” Came in the next morning. He said, “I accept.” That was a lucky guess, man. He did an amazing job, man. He’s doing a great job. amazing executive of the year uh last year and then um he’s an amazing guy. I just I just hung up with him now. We’re coming on to that time of the year with the draft and the trades. So, I just was talking to him about half hour ago for sure. Most definitely, man. Shout out to Brian Stevens, Indiana legend, man. Make some noise, Mr. Gru, man. We appreciate you, man. Thanks, guys. We appreciate y’all, man. Stay tuned. We got some more dope stuff coming one more time for Boost Mobile, man. $25 unlimited nationwide 5G tap in. you know the vibes and be hearing what they need. That Tommy John, that Tommy John, man, tap in immediately. Wear them draws, boy. Appreciate y’all.

On this BONUS EPISODE of the Club 520 Podcast, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck joins Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, and B Hen in an exclusive sit-down interview with one of the top owners in the NBA. Wyc tells the guys the WILD STORY of him MORTGAGING HIS HOME in order to buy the Boston Celtics. Plus, Grousbeck reflects on the Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen led Celtics teams of 2008-2012, and why that championship isn’t as rewarding as the 2024 title was. And don’t miss Wyc talk about “regretting” trading Kendrick Perkins, Jayson Tatum’s achilles injury, hiring Brad Stevens as Celtics GM, and how SHOCKED he was finding out about the Luka Doncic trade from the Mavericks to the Lakers.

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