Sources: NBA set for 1st vote in Las Vegas-Seattle expansion
The NBA will maintain a vote on the board of governors conferences subsequent week to discover including expansion groups completely in Las Vegas and Seattle, sources informed ESPN, with the 2 new franchises being focused to begin play in the 2028-29 season.
There is momentum inside the board of governors and league workplace to approve transferring ahead with taking bids for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle, based on sources with data of the discussions.
Industry executives venture proposals in the $7-10 billion vary for every group and estimate that each markets could be among the many NBA’s high eight income mills. The market enchantment of Las Vegas and Seattle, plus the parity-friendly collective bargaining settlement, will seemingly result in a strong buy market for expansion.
This marks the primary of a number of crucial steps towards NBA expansion. This first vote will permit the league to deal with Las Vegas and Seattle and have a bidding course of for the groups. There will then be a possible closing vote later in the yr 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 help expansion due to the long-term income progress for the league from the Las Vegas and Seattle markets. Some homeowners stay hesitant on promoting a few of their shares and having their league fairness go from 1/30 to 1/32, and wish to see the ultimate valuations of the bids plus the person franchise charges earlier than deciding whether or not to broaden now or in just a few extra years.
The NHL not too long ago had two of its latest expansions come in 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 in the method of doing the identical for the 2028 season.
Las Vegas has additionally been residence 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 group since 2008, when the TremendousSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and altered their identify to the Thunder. The Sonics performed in the NBA from 1967 by means of 2008 earlier than leaving due to a dispute concerning the lease for KeyArena, which proprietor Clay Bennett mentioned was outdated. The venue underwent intensive renovations from 2018 to 2021 and is now Climate Pledge Arena, the place the Kraken and WNBA’s Storm play.
Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned on Dec. 16 on the NBA Cup championship sport in Las Vegas that the league will resolve in the calendar yr of 2026 about whether or not it’ll proceed with pursuing expansion.
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 occasions: The Boston Celtics had been offered 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 biggest sum ever for a US skilled sports activities group. The Portland Trail Blazers additionally offered to Tom Dundon in August 2025 for $4.25 billion.
Executives throughout the NBA anticipate both the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to maneuver to the East to realign conferences with 16 every when Seattle and Las Vegas turn into West groups.
The NBA final expanded in 2004 with Charlotte.
The NBA can also be transferring ahead with plans to carry a league to Europe — with closing bids for potential groups due on March 31, sources mentioned.
