Published on: August 21, 2025, 11:49h.
Updated on: August 21, 2025, 11:50h.
- Mario Ho is a co-owner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics
- Ho is the heir of the late Stanley Ho
- Stanley Ho previously held a casino monopoly in Macau
This week, the $6.1 billion acquisition of the NBA’s Boston Celtics reached its conclusion. The esteemed franchise was sold to an investment consortium led by private equity leader Bill Chisholm, which includes Mario Ho, a 30-year-old inheritor of his late father Stanley Ho, known as the “King of Gambling.”
The NBA’s board gave unanimous approval for the transfer of ownership of the Celtics from Wyc Grousbeck to the investment group led by Chisholm. The $6.1 billion price tag was the highest recorded for an NBA franchise until the Los Angeles Lakers were valued at $10 billion upon selling a stake in their team.
Among Chisholm’s investors for the Celtics is Ho, one of Stanley Ho’s 17 children, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 98.
“I am thrilled to announce my partnership as a co-owner and board member of the Boston Celtics!” Ho expressed on social media today. “My sincere gratitude goes to Bill for allowing me to join this extraordinary consortium and this historic deal.”
Ho further stated he has been a “lifelong fan of the Celtics” and is dedicated to giving his all for the organization.
“Tears of happiness fill my eyes as I write this,” he added. “This marks one of the most joyous moments of my life.”
The Ho Legacy
While it remains uncertain how much Ho contributed to the $6.1 billion deal, Chisholm informed the league that he holds a controlling interest (at least 51%) necessary for the transaction’s approval.
The family’s net worth is estimated at $17 billion, though Ho’s exact personal wealth is not publicly available.
In addition to his stake in the Celtics, Ho has utilized his inheritance from his father’s casino monopoly in Macau, which lasted until its handover from Portugal to China, to invest in ventures across esports and hospitality.
He serves as the controlling shareholder of Beijing Huanju Commercial Management, a firm that curates immersive entertainment experiences within casino resorts. Furthermore, he is the founder and owner of NIP Group, an organization aimed at popularizing competitive gaming in the U.S.
Ho’s family also includes Lawrence Ho, founder, chairman, and CEO of Melco Resorts, among the six casino operators in Macau. His sister Pansy Ho is a significant stakeholder in MGM Resorts’ Chinese operations.
Another sibling, Daisy Ho, oversees Stanley’s gaming empire, comprising SJM Holdings and Shun Tak Holdings.
Youngest NBA Co-Owner
Mario Ho’s involvement with the Boston Celtics makes him the youngest co-owner in NBA history. Prior to Ho, the youngest individual to ever own an NBA franchise was Robert Pera, who acquired the Memphis Grizzlies at age 34 in 2012.
However, Pera completed a full purchase of his team for $377 million, while he is the founder and CEO of Ubiquiti Inc., a leading communications technology company that went public in 2011.
As of 2025, Pera’s estimated net worth stands at nearly $20 billion.