NBA Board Approves Exploration of Expansion in Vegas and Seattle

The NBA's board of governors has voted to explore the possibility of adding expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle. All 30 team owners expressed unanimous support for this initiative, according to sources cited by ESPN.

As part of this bidding process, offers for each new team are projected to range between $7 billion and $10 billion. The league has set its sights on the 2028-29 season for the debut of the two new franchises.

This vote marks the beginning of the NBA's move towards expanding its roster to 32 teams, with numerous high-ranking officials indicating that expansion is a matter of timing rather than possibility. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the board's interest in both cities, noting their historical support for the league.

Following the vote, Silver is scheduled to hold a news conference to outline the next steps in the process. The NBA has engaged investment bank PJT Partners to assist in evaluating potential markets, ownership groups, and the economic ramifications of expansion.

The league will assess bids from Seattle and Las Vegas over the coming months, including the decision on whether to finalize franchise purchases by 2026 or to delay further. A potential final vote could occur later this year, requiring 23 out of 30 governors to approve the expansion.

Growing enthusiasm among team owners for expansion is driven by the anticipated long-term revenue growth associated with the Las Vegas and Seattle markets. Recent expansions in other leagues, such as the NHL's Golden Knights in Las Vegas and the Kraken in Seattle, have set a precedent.

Seattle has been without an NBA team since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. The SuperSonics, active from 1967 until their departure, left due to a lease dispute regarding KeyArena, which has been renovated and is now known as Climate Pledge Arena.

Franchise valuations in the NBA have increased sharply in recent years, with notable sales including the Phoenix Suns for $4 billion in December 2022 and the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $10 billion in 2025. Such valuations reflect the growing financial landscape of professional sports.

With the addition of the two new franchises, it is expected that either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies will realign to the Eastern Conference. The NBA's last expansion occurred in 2004 with the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats.

This report includes contributions from the Associated Press.