BOSTON -- The group buying the Boston Celtics added investors on Wednesday, and Hall of Famer Larry Bird was not among them.

Bird, who along with Boston businessman Steve Belkin was bypassed by the NBA when it picked the owners of an expansion franchise for Charlotte, won't be a part of the new ownership in Boston, either.

"I wish Larry Bird and the Belkin group all the best," said prospective Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck. "I understand it was his dream to build a basketball operation from scratch. We have a different situation here."

Grousbeck's group, called Boston Basketball Partners, has bid $360 million to buy the NBA's most successful franchise from Paul Gaston. Bird had reportedly expressed an interest in buying the Celtics, but instead focused on getting the franchise in Charlotte.

The NBA expansion committee announced Wednesday that the league's 30th franchise will be owned by Black Entertainment Television owner Robert Johnson instead of Bird and Belkin.

"I'm heartbroken," Bird said in a statement released by his agent Tuesday night. "It's hard to realize that the dream I've had for so many years is not to be, and that an awesome opportunity, which would have been the greatest and most exciting challenge in my life will not come to pass."

Johnson said he would not consider hiring Bird. Grousbeck said he didn't expect Bird to return to the Celtics in any capacity, either.

Grousbeck announced Wednesday that Glenn Hutchins and James Pallotta, both from the investment firms, would join the Celtics' ownership. Grousbeck also said that the group has received a favorable recommendation from the NBA's audit committee.