Sources: NBA votes to explore Vegas, Seattle expansion bids
The NBA’s Board of Governors has permitted a vote for the league to explore bids and candidates for expansion groups completely in Las Vegas and Seattle, sources informed ESPN.
A bidding course of is anticipated to generate provides within the $7-10 billion vary for every workforce, in accordance to sources.
Sources informed ESPN final week that the league is focusing on the 2028-29 season for the 2 expansion franchises to begin taking part in.
The vote begins the NBA’s means of increasing to 32 groups. Multiple high-ranking officers have termed expansion as “when, not if.”
The league will now study Seattle and Las Vegas bids over the following a number of months, and whether or not to execute the brand new franchise purchases in 2026 or in just a few years. There will probably be a possible remaining vote later this 12 months to finalize the transactions to 32 groups. In each voting rounds, 23 of 30 governors should vote in favor.
A rising variety of homeowners are believed to assist expansion due to the long-term income development for the league from the Las Vegas and Seattle markets.
The NHL not too long ago had two of its current expansions are available Las Vegas with the Golden Knights (2017) and Seattle with the Kraken (2021). In the NFL, the Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020, and Major League Baseball’s Athletics are within the means of doing the identical for the 2028 season.
Las Vegas has additionally been house to the WNBA’s Aces since 2018. The Aces are three-time champions (2022, 2023, 2025) because the transfer.
Seattle has been with out an NBA workforce since 2008, when the TremendousSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and altered their identify to the Thunder. The Sonics performed within the NBA from 1967 by way of 2008 earlier than leaving due to a dispute in regards to the lease for KeyArena, which proprietor Clay Bennett stated was outdated. The venue underwent in depth renovations from 2018 to 2021 and is now Climate Pledge Arena, the place the Kraken and WNBA’s Storm play.
Over the previous 4 years, franchise valuations have emerged. Mat Ishbia bought the Phoenix Suns in December 2022 for a then-record $4 billion valuation. In 2025, that document was damaged a number of instances: The Boston Celtics have been bought to Bill Chisholm for a $6.1 billion valuation, then the Los Angeles Lakers went from the Buss household to Mark Walter for $10 billion, which stays the most important sum ever for a US skilled sports activities workforce. The Portland Trail Blazers additionally bought to Tom Dundon in August 2025 for $4.25 billion.
Executives throughout the NBA count on both the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to transfer to the East to realign conferences with 16 every when Seattle and Las Vegas grow to be West groups.
The NBA final expanded in 2004 with Charlotte.
