While Celtics Chair Paul Gaston has said "repeatedly that he is not looking to sell" the team, sources said that a recent offer "went beyond the tire kicking stage," according to Steve Bulpett of the BOSTON HERALD, who reported that the sides "spoke first through an intermediary and interest from the prospective buyer was said to be strong." But when the talks "settled in on a price" of $320-340M, the buyer "thought again and backed off." Bulpett: "It is known that the potential purchaser was not Larry Bird, but sources close to the Celtic legend say he is still very much interested in putting together a group to buy the franchise" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/25). Meanwhile, Celtics President & coach Rick Pitino continues to assess his future with the franchise. Late last week, Pitino "did not rule out the possibility of stepping down" as coach while remaining as president, but that is an "unlikely scenario." Pitino said that "serving solely as president would not last for more than a year" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/23). TICKET TALK: Meanwhile, Bulpett reports today that there were 11,551 tickets sold and "fewer than that actually" in attendance at the FleetCenter for yesterday's Celtics game against the Grizzlies. It was the "smallest Celtics crowd in more than 21 years" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/27). Also in Boston, Shira Springer writes that "taking into account season ticket-holders who didn't show, the true total was closer" to 8,500 yesterday (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/27). Celtics COO Richard Pond said on Thursday: "We've got to put people in the seats. And if there's confusion or if there's doubt in their minds about what's going to happen here [regarding Pitino's future with the team], it creates less interest in the team" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/24). Meanwhile, Will McDonough reported that the FleetCenter "eventually will take on a new look," as yellow seats in the arena will eventually be "replaced with black chairs." FleetCenter President & CEO Rich Krezwick: "We want to create a checkerboard effect. We think it will look nicer. It will have nothing to do with trying to cover up the empty seats" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/25).
