TLDR
- The NBA Board of Governors voted to officially explore expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas
- Expansion fees could range between $7 billion and $10 billion per franchise
- Seattle has been without an NBA team since the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008
- Las Vegas already has NFL, NHL, and WNBA teams and is getting an MLB team in 2028
- New expansion teams could begin play as early as the 2028-29 season
The NBA took a major step toward adding new teams on Wednesday. The Board of Governors voted to officially explore expansion into Seattle and Las Vegas. The vote required approval from at least 23 of the league’s 30 team owners.
Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the news in a press conference. He said the league wants to reach a final decision by the end of 2026. Silver made clear that no deals have been made and no promises have been given to either city.
The price to join the NBA will be steep. Silver told team owners that expansion fees could land between $7 billion and $10 billion per franchise. That would make these among the most expensive franchise launches in professional sports history.
The league recently completed a new media rights deal and a new labor agreement. With those contracts locked in, the NBA can now turn its attention to growth. Some current owners have questioned whether expansion is necessary right now.
Expansion Fees Could Offset Revenue Sharing Concerns
Despite those concerns, the potential windfall from expansion fees is hard to pass up. A team executive said the money generated by adding franchises would more than make up for splitting television revenue among more teams. The long-term financial upside appears to be driving support among ownership groups.
Seattle has been without an NBA team since 2008. That year, the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. The move left a hole in the city’s sports scene that fans have been eager to fill.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said the city never stopped being a basketball town. She pointed to the fan support that has remained steady for nearly two decades. The city also built a new world-class arena in the years since losing the Sonics.
Samantha Holloway, owner of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, is leading the charge for a bid. She created a new company this week to manage her sports properties. Her involvement signals a serious push to bring an NBA franchise back to Seattle.
If a team returns, the Sonics branding and franchise history are expected to come with it. That prospect has energized fans across the Pacific Northwest.
Las Vegas Positions Itself as a Growing Sports Hub
Las Vegas is also a strong candidate. The city already hosts the NFL’s Raiders, the NHL’s Golden Knights, and the WNBA’s Aces. Major League Baseball’s Athletics are set to arrive in 2028.
An NBA team would make Las Vegas home to five major professional sports franchises. Mayor Shelley Berkley said the city is more than ready for pro basketball. She told reporters she knows of three ownership groups preparing bids.
One of those groups is reportedly led by basketball legend Magic Johnson. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo also expressed support for the effort. He said he looks forward to working with the league to bring a team to the state.
Any new team would begin play no earlier than the 2028-29 season. Silver said the league could ultimately decide to add just one team instead of two.
Silver said he expects strong interest from both markets. Fan bases in Seattle and Las Vegas have been vocal about wanting NBA basketball, and both cities now have the infrastructure to support a franchise.
