NBA Owners to Vote on Expansion Process

The NBA’s board of governors will vote next week on a pivotal step toward expansion, potentially adding franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle by the 2028-29 season. The vote, scheduled between March 24 and 25, is expected to pave the way for the league to begin soliciting bids for the new teams.

This marks the first of multiple critical steps toward NBA expansion, according to sources. The initial vote will focus on allowing the league to concentrate on Las Vegas and Seattle and initiate a formal bidding process.

Financial Implications and Conference Realignment

Industry executives project that each expansion team could command a price in the range of $7 to $10 billion. This substantial influx of capital would be divided among the league’s current 30 owners, potentially netting each team more than $300 million.

The addition of two teams, both geographically located in the Western Conference, will necessitate a realignment of the league’s conference structure. It is anticipated that either the Memphis Grizzlies or the Minnesota Timberwolves will be moved to the Eastern Conference to maintain competitive balance.

Why Las Vegas and Seattle?

Seattle, which lost the SuperSonics in 2008, has long been considered a prime candidate for expansion. The city currently supports the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, playing in the renovated Climate Pledge Arena. Las Vegas, meanwhile, has quickly become a major sports hub, hosting teams in football, hockey, and Formula 1, and is already a prominent location for NBA events like the Summer League and All-Star Game.

As noted by ESPN, practically all that’s missing is NBA basketball in Las Vegas.

Expansion Process and Timeline

• Initial Vote (March 24-25): Authorize the league to explore bids in Las Vegas and Seattle.
• Bidding Process: Solicit proposals from potential ownership groups.
• Final Vote (Later in 2026): Finalize the expansion to 32 teams.

Both voting rounds require approval from 23 of the 30 NBA governors.

Future League Developments

This expansion effort comes after the NBA recently finalized a new collective bargaining agreement and a significant television rights deal. The league is also exploring the possibility of launching NBA Europe, a new league in Europe, though details remain unclear.

Did You Know?

Samantha Holloway, the daughter of late billionaire David Bonderman and owner of the Seattle Kraken, has expressed interest in leading an expansion bid in Seattle.

FAQ

• When will the new teams begin play? The target start date is the 2028-29 season.
• How much will the expansion teams cost? Estimates range from $7 to $10 billion per franchise.
• Will the Seattle team reclaim the SuperSonics name? While not confirmed, it is widely expected that the team will be renamed the SuperSonics.