NBA Greenlights Las Vegas, Seattle Bids; Pro Basketball Closer to the Strip

In a move that has been whispered about for years but never officially sanctioned until now, the NBA Board of Governors voted Wednesday to formally explore adding expansion franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle. The vote authorizes Commissioner Adam Silver and league officials to begin vetting potential ownership groups and evaluating the economic feasibility of growing the league to 32 teams.

The price of admission into the NBA’s elite circle has reached record heights. Industry insiders suggest that expansion fees will likely range between $7 billion and $10 billion per franchise—a staggering sum that would be distributed among the league’s 30 current owners. Commissioner Silver noted that both Las Vegas and Seattle possess “longstanding ties” to the game, with Las Vegas already serving as the long-term home for the NBA Summer League and the annual NBA Cup.

While the vote does not guarantee a team will be on the hardwood by next season, it marks the first time since 2004 that the league has moved beyond speculation. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo expressed his enthusiasm following the vote, stating he looks forward to ensuring any expansion “delivers lasting benefits for the state of Nevada.” If the vetting process remains on schedule, the league could finalize its decision by the end of 2026, with a targeted debut as early as the 2028-29 season.

Source: NBA Communications / Associated Press / The Nevada Globe

Link: https://pr.nba.com/nba-board-of-governors-potential-expansion-las-vegas-seattle/