NBA governors authorize study of Las Vegas, Seattle expansion bids
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The NBA took its first formal step toward adding two new franchises on Wednesday, unanimously approving a measure to investigate expansion proposals exclusively from Las Vegas and Seattle.
League sources said all 30 owners supported opening a bidding process that is expected to attract offers between $7 billion and $10 billion for each team. The NBA is eyeing the 2028-29 season for the potential debut of both clubs.
“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle—two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. Silver is scheduled to hold a news conference later in the day to outline next steps.
Process and timeline
The league hired investment bank PJT Partners to assess candidate markets, ownership groups, arena readiness and the financial impact of expansion. Over the next several months, officials will review submissions and determine whether purchase agreements should be executed in 2026 or at a later date. A final vote on admitting the two franchises could come before year-end, with 23 of 30 governors required to approve the deals.
Market momentum
Many owners favor growth because of projected long-term revenue from the Las Vegas and Seattle regions. Other major sports leagues have recently expanded into the same cities: the NHL added the Golden Knights in 2017 and the Kraken in 2021; the NFL’s Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020; and MLB’s Athletics plan to relocate there for the 2028 season. The WNBA’s Aces have played in Las Vegas since 2018 and won championships in 2022, 2023 and 2025.
Seattle has lacked an NBA team since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 following a dispute over KeyArena, now renovated and operating as Climate Pledge Arena, home to the Kraken and the WNBA’s Storm.
Surging franchise values
Team valuations have climbed sharply in recent years. Mat Ishbia bought the Phoenix Suns in 2022 at a $4 billion valuation. In 2025, the Celtics sold to Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion, the Lakers transferred from the Buss family to Mark Walter for $10 billion—a U.S. sports record—and the Trail Blazers went to Tom Dundon for $4.25 billion.
Potential realignment
If the league reaches 32 teams, executives expect the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to shift to the Eastern Conference, creating two 16-team conferences once Seattle and Las Vegas join the West. The NBA last expanded in 2004, when Charlotte returned to the league.
The exploration phase approved Wednesday marks the beginning of a process that could reshape the NBA’s footprint for the first time in nearly a quarter-century.
Source: ESPN
