The NBA’s board of governors has accredited a vote for the league to explore bids and candidates for expansion groups solely in Las Vegas and Seattle.
A bidding course of is predicted to generate presents within the $7-10 billion vary for every crew, in accordance to sources. Sources advised ESPN final week that the league is concentrating on the 2028-29 season for the 2 expansion franchises to begin enjoying.
The vote begins the NBA’s technique of increasing to 32 groups. Multiple high-ranking officers have termed expansion as “when, not if.”
“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,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated in an announcement Wednesday. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”
As a part of the method, the league has engaged funding financial institution PJT Partners as a strategic adviser to consider potential markets, possession teams, area infrastructure, and the broader financial implications of expansion.
The league will look at Seattle and Las Vegas bids over the subsequent a number of months, and whether or not to execute the brand new franchise purchases in 2026 or in just a few years. There might be a possible closing 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 house owners are believed to help expansion due to the long-term income progress for the league from the Las Vegas and Seattle markets.
The NHL lately 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 technique of doing the identical for the 2028 season.
Las Vegas additionally has been house to the WNBA’s Aces since 2018. The Aces are three-time champions (2022, 2023, 2025) for the reason that transfer.
Seattle has been with out an NBA crew 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 means of 2008 earlier than leaving due to a dispute concerning the lease for KeyArena, which proprietor Clay Bennett stated was outdated.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 surged. Mat Ishbia bought the Phoenix Suns in December 2022 for a then-record $4 billion valuation. In 2025, that report was topped a number of occasions: 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 biggest sum ever for a U.S. skilled sports activities crew. 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 change into West groups.
The NBA final expanded in 2004 with Charlotte.
