This vote had long been viewed as a formality, but it is the last big step before ownership officially changes hands this season. The NBA said in a release that the transaction “is expected to close shortly.

The Celtics will have a new lead governor in William Chisholm when the first part of the team’s sale to Chisholm’s group becomes official later this month. Current governor Wyc Grousbeck will remain as team CEO and become alternate governor once the sale is complete, according to a league source.

Wyc Grousbeck will no longer stay on as governor as part of the Celtics' $6.1 billion sale to Bill Chisholm, sources told ESPN.