Wyc Grousbeck, Celtics Managing Partner, Governor and CEO

We started the -- series couple years ago it gave fans of Boston the opportunity to hear from the owners of the five major pro sports teams in town. This year we kind of shuffled around little bit get a little differently we began a week ago with Robert Kraft he was joined by the commissioner of the NFL. And Roger Goodell joined us last Friday we spoke with -- Jeremy Jacobs the owner of the Boston Bruins in Gary Bettman joined us we didn't invite. David stern to join us today as part of our owners series. But he was a little busy last night but joining us right now were happy to have the managing partner governor and CEO of the Boston Celtics -- prospect is on the line -- quick. A gale and Michael Gordon got. Anyway David stern was Dodds innocent dot net he didn't want to. Answer the tough questions we have formed solely you bail. Well I know what the minorities. Is opinions are most up to be glad. I'm I'm sure I'm -- wanted to answer questions about the officials. Yeah yeah they're not that that's -- audience. -- what that you know what you eat that is the answer almost exactly ethnic. We'll talk about the Celtics almost all of this but I would be remiss if not asked yet it was. A little bit painful last night to see that trophy go to the lakers. -- was. Is having gotten broke the I at this point he could anybody else. The lakers are our rivals in the UK in red -- -- as. Six more -- should go to. Read one he but especially with -- -- in the article not my preferred. I know it's it's. Pretty difficult task for anybody in New England to be objective somewhat objective when talking about red versus bill. But but where do you stand and in this debate him and -- a lot of people say well you know red. 18 in a -- and Phil can never do that on the other hand. Phil has had to deal with free agency in the modern player and and read never had to do that where do you stand. I've -- -- I think there's red. A sample and include them and was driving force in the nuclear reactors -- -- thing. And you go all the way in the eighties in the way that bird in the way we need is greatly Templeton -- -- if he. All we -- red and did everything. I use for it but how was the bus driver in the book the trip to Europe and Russia. You know -- be driving him from these foreign countries and I'm a -- story. As well. Read it everything is open every single one of those standard as is. And then over it and there is no never been a winner liquid. You wouldn't be human. If if you didn't at least halfway think is you watch the NBA finals series. What with the Celtics team have been like had they've been helping. Well I think that's the losers. I don't mean that the question that question but now I'm not -- Give myself that Al. We started off well and injuries in. They had entry last year and BM. Is part of the game and and you know. We don't have whoever wrote -- of -- -- we do recognized that they want it they went there where. We've got a great coach and gradually but we're fortunate here. Where things stand speaking of injuries with Kevin Garnett and and his rehabilitation from his surgery. Eaton is. They were excited about how things going and so therefore all. Very and going. And in the facility every single day and the focal point. Evidently this is going it about it and so on and as well and everybody else's and there's what you need some Burton. As you know in in their regularly over the last week already getting ready. Ask you one more -- question you know. Last year. Paul -- up -- all of Oklahoma last year. Paul Pierce was the finals MVP and he said during an interview on the best player in the world that's just the way I feel. Kobe is the best player in the world according to the hardware. Do you agree with that you think. Because he's the finals MVP do you think he's the best player in the game right now. Simple way to look at at at -- -- -- -- that you guys help me long to figure out. You know what the definition are the best player right this minute. -- -- -- -- The greatest winner of alzheimer's are currently and in which started in with certain right now. And you go it'd -- at the pulpit this. You know so. Given his -- I don't I can't ranked in the and well run and it ranked him again. -- other players. I like sort -- -- Helping in. To work here. Speaking of liking your team there have been some rumors out there. While Rajon Rondo going to Phoenix Ray Allen going to Phoenix -- Allen going somewhere else. Have you guys. -- any trade conversations. Involving. The Big Three the big four since the season and. Well I don't think that. I know that I didn't understand. Oregon. Company own all of our needs in although they admit or. There -- spoke -- about every. -- called -- you know I mean I think people you know -- up there there's nobody called up and around the it's hard for anybody might. -- -- a lot of I'm. Serious about that that's what -- question on -- These gentlemen are all -- Yeah that it is that we have a starting five that are about 177. And one. As the and so that's pretty good core. And so if the reasonable approach you stick with that -- and as it -- -- that one. Definitely in on the way to go one way we it was. Isn't that big difference though between incoming calls that outgoing calls. Incoming I understand how going if you initiated conversation that. It's a completely different spin on. There's very there's they're very similar in what way you're not listening in on either one of a. -- -- help. I don't think so please. No I'm pretty sure you Wikipedia's -- we have white -- level. I'm curious. The other thing I wanna -- is. That there it was well in which our people offer them but he format. It. -- There is a very. Hopeful Bible Belt on -- -- we. So that as soon as well as another buffalo. I'm curious about the salary cap and -- when you were a fan of the Celtics. What you thought of it as opposed to what you think of it now that your an owner of the Celtics. And I didn't. Like to think about salary cap I didn't like this without. Whether or not -- so I believe it here. I want to -- ownership with the best pop up there but go on what what. We you know. I don't think they're really. Like within the that would work in much sort of January as as a and I didn't it was here. He had a -- with one over one might. As ownership now -- record of probably the most effective way I don't really want to know how much. Also -- money. We need to win. That in our general approach we have in the and but if we didn't have a I think it would amateur or as we would have a -- he. -- in the yet. And audio. In noncompetitive and those were all there. At all. That was -- with soccer without. And we don't have and so anyway. I'm I'm I bought into a system that has. Written here in the range of players owners. Share it with them and or ethnic. With the players. That's what -- It was. We're gonna go back to something you -- a few minutes ago you said. You guys could be in position to offer a full max contract next year how could you do that. Well we -- is that the and that part of go with that but we have a there is Mario. Under which is Celtic in the there's no -- it -- it was there in the scenario under which we and the bet that those that may well -- on -- the most on here. When we -- -- yours and the effect we built a for the coming. When it all worked right he would have to think that -- In June -- this one you were reduced or a point that the fund. Okay tell me if I'm wrong and this is not confident it was coming from me are just just -- -- out there you're staggered the contracts of the victory so next year. For example if you didn't resign Ray Allen. You might have to make a decision on whether to go get that big free agent guy or resigning Rajon Rondo in that case he could offer the full max. And that and that hypothetical that is that correct. Policy that is wrong. You know you now look at that's -- and I think that's the way you could do it. Notes the silent I'm not that's okay about it in the personal. We we talked with Jeremy Jacobs on Friday about the economic climate that were all in -- that you deal with the the Bruins the Red Sox everybody's dealing with right now. -- and you know them the health financial health of franchises in these trying times. You didn't play to an empty seat this year so I don't think you felt it very much how -- things look as far as going forward for next year in that. Regard. Well we start with. And that is both of them because they they hung in there. With. Even with injury and that -- in and and 884. I think he's. But in the one. Anyway we were really happy and but grateful. Or. If these. People want to play. Our sponsors have been greatly reduced. A bunch of our biggest corporate partners just. Added a very into what we're very. A point in your future. Very. With that so that you know that side of -- -- rate you may think it's simple and they know from his bill as with Syria. Was happy with the you know so there's a lot of great things going on despite the we don't want to ignore it we don't want the you know be. Whatever is whatever words we don't want this. With I don't know the people that are struggling. Well what do is thank everybody. Felt that it by by -- If a little bit of but you know well pretty well and we don't we have with great you know. Prices. -- -- -- Now I know the league can't be fat and happy because -- another product is great there are some weaknesses like one of them major weaknesses. In the NBA is the performance of the officials one. Do you think the the officiating. Has gotten better has an improved say in the last three to five years in your opinion. I'm not in -- that cricket from you know Michael I'm not a big. -- mean this is. Other than say. That we human. You know I I and in person in Asia but. I think they're trying to hard. I don't think it's only getting better. Every call every single call oh. And reviewed in great if in court and where every whistle on an Indian. -- anybody I've -- -- You're in by what was the nonpublic should've been made. Is -- -- -- is literally -- -- every all. In either the but just studying it is. There's not a lack of effort but -- -- in. Well it it that you may have answered my next question I'll go here when it comes to that the process. Of of having your voice heard and them short you have a lot to say when you're not doing it not on a radio interview about the officiating. But do you do you get the sense. That the comments that you make privately. Are being received. It in a good spirit and a good place in the league office in other words you say something added it doesn't fall on deaf ears. I think it's fair to say about almost any is that what we haven't they because it worked in partnership with. And ownership and then like -- Indians -- also make comments that into the system. You know is all with -- and and you know we all are well positioned right well together we we really is that where you'll. We believe is on with David that might be the best this or viewing it as mr. He cares and with it and try to get the right -- So anyway we don't talk that much about it is if there's other. I've -- we find it a little bit. The prospect that mentality. -- to worry about winning and we won by 39 point let it. No official at the game have -- is a win the game and talk about. Officiating if. It think it's a great point because. I didn't think about the officiating. Last night and -- and think about it at the end of of game -- either of them felt like there was such an imbalance between. The lakers and magic the magic really hurt themselves and you really can't jump on the official I guess my my issue comes more in close games between. Evenly matched teams are sort certain officiating crews. Are certain officials I just don't trust to make the right call. Well. I mean I you know what I expect the final. I think back to -- -- -- -- other than Celtic. Note that in the if the -- that we -- as well in front of these. The worst sell all the oh series but. No I was in the in these decisions whether -- was all or else. About open -- you know. With the -- vehicle that but was upon them. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- The I'd rather what the F. A week ago I asked Bob Kraft where character comes into play when it comes to to have getting and keeping players and his organization. You had one young player make a mistake in Los Angeles this year but. I don't imagine you go to bed at night worrying that the phone is gonna ring in somebody's gonna say hey wait we just got this of that on this or that. How much is character in play for you guys and Danny in your acquisition and subsequent keeping -- players in this organization. At the big deal of I think it is -- it -- great he's the one we wrap it like I like and for. We read -- charity dinner -- -- In Europe it is part of -- dinner with there was -- a and and this is is that -- -- it off now the world of course the problem. He said on and head back in the work out literally in -- And in that -- I mean that's what. Note with start with players like where are we. The big read in the work ethic. If it from me but that everybody I'm Norton. Having been you know last president. And choir boy that literally but see on the Celtics and their. Where you occupied and (%expletive) about all. If they can yes we off the court on the court. Right. Activities or they're not be around in the oil and they buy into it does it work. So I'm really that that we've read quite dot. In fully has over the -- -- It's. There were a lot of people who thought that you guys took a chance with Stephon Marbury in the second half of the season. You agree that it took a chance and how'd that work out. I think it worked out. There was an apple wise it's sort of like -- and right burglary art you got like a -- I doubt about the impact -- much hope we hope that with me yet moment but you know. As a question of effort and willingness yet Celtic in the -- you it was you know it -- And Danny had known -- for -- in out. But the fact is that the with that was what was where it is satisfied. In that that would. -- how they got better. As an owner since you first took over. And that's that that's right have put I think we we get we -- the we got a bunch of guys in. In different levels ownership position. If the levels Altman the -- having more fun than we thought we would we -- in early pretty. So we're all haven't laughed so think of that better be a lot of fun you know what the banner. In that it matches yet. Lot of fun it will you know that's what Asian aborted and what we and -- public on you'll have to bring it. There was some things in the newspaper a week or so ago. About the possibility of one of the members of your ownership group kicking the tires of the Boston Globe. Have you thought about the position that might -- the team in if that ever came to pass. Bill I don't I not at all I mean if if if that is true that he's what in the world. I I think that. Great if I mean that the global already part of the red. It happened and everything -- the party and weapon everything and even. Is a great business and a great partner -- that if you're. If there are all about is straightforward. In and open that haven't. There's no manipulation and that all these if that's what he if he wanted to try to if the quote it would be. About the quote -- all that. What do you think of it what do you think of the possibility of Steve or anybody else. By and the will be out any opinions on the and news outlet or media outlet that regularly covers your team being in trouble. It would probably some -- I'd be fine with. Other. Not a -- you know what I. Of the people there. Opening. Everybody we. I I would -- it with all these the other day and he's the never quite an editor at. But I would have been well with a quote and quote which was. That it does not -- critic as a better. It goes -- What. Where do you know or. Who knows. There. And so anyway I'm I'm all the people that -- -- -- a big critic Leo at. Having that. Eleven. If things don't change if things continue the way they are right now will draft night economists news for you. Well we've got. That is the most. Active trading days here and I'm preacher and the respect and doing something that they're not always. You know -- reality if you buy it but there's always a and you know it will be -- news. Up until the rest because you have I think. -- it's the ideas you know recommend and but it never use it as a moment and as well. As we conclude. For today I know we bask you in the past about this when your team wasn't winning and in fact. -- season when you had an eighteen game losing streak and you took the opportunity to thank the fans. In a season in which as you said you didn't played an empty seat -- TV ratings tripled. How do you conclude this by saying to the fans today. Well we -- got a -- available. And actually the way we. Open -- let you in the that individual we went out so we. In fact it is seen -- And and that work but we level when people of it was. Topic we're. Plane have been playing well which in the leveling with the next here. Ruined when we went well and that's record and it'll run through your day. And it'll open Rick but both are trying to sell off in a week but. Be. But. You know what it is -- a lot of on this and are excited about the we've that we've it wouldn't work without. And it. Within the and thanks for your state in I averted but not in in morning. About the fact that as -- on now. I get it as a it will warning that -- but -- -- Note that that thought about it but if at the so are in any. It is. Another review and in four it would. It's good to talk to darken Danny together -- individually. What what did what do -- say when you're talking about the lakers winning the championship and in the Celtics now officially no longer defending champs. Look for all of and the same page is what effect there is a lot of -- and now what we can't. Think about it and and you know he's a record fourth and we have quicktime -- Very busy right now. A couple of it's. -- great you know. That's probably the best I've ever made in my life with my aren't we but in the -- of movement for and this year. It. I would ask your question and I am not going to answer but I've always wondered this. Who was the first choice there was another guy you guys had in mind that you found on any news -- any. Williams -- first choice to rule if -- -- would have taken the job we going to hire. In the -- we -- have anybody else like that that I -- all the music I mean we can have a that we have maybe that's like saying. And let them completely forgetting the years ago I don't think I am. Have you over yet. We went after -- and we've got. It was I think this fusion back then. If we felt. If it will have the story is. -- glow of their gold again they. I've always what the vote but -- -- -- this -- news but anyway it was a action. Which we've been ended by I think okay -- It over but. I think what it yet other -- -- which we always -- -- like -- -- what it would abide by so I went out. But the -- -- without your netcast that is indeed a map of the opposite. That went out and with a group together by the U I what I did have with these. Oh on alive when it felt as though when it. We always appreciate the time it's always fun to talk with you thank you for being part of our -- series again this year and enjoy your offseason short though it always this. And I think that's believe these you know such as it. Anyway thank you what prospect managing partner governor and CEO of the Boston Celtics joining us on the eighteenth -- hotline AT&T. Your world delivered.