The NBA will maintain a vote on the board of governors conferences subsequent week to discover including expansion groups solely in Las Vegas and Seattle, sources instructed ESPN, with the 2 new franchises being focused to begin play in the 2028-29 season.
There is momentum throughout the board of governors and league workplace to approve shifting ahead with taking bids for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle, in accordance with sources with data of the discussions.
Industry executives undertaking proposals in the $7-10 billion vary for every workforce and estimate that each markets could be among the many NBA’s high eight income turbines. The market attraction of Las Vegas and Seattle, plus the parity-friendly collective bargaining settlement, will probably result in a strong buy market for expansion.
This marks the primary of a number of vital steps towards NBA expansion. This first vote will permit the league to give attention to Las Vegas and Seattle and have a bidding course of for the groups. There will then be a possible remaining 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 need to see the ultimate valuations of the bids plus the person franchise charges earlier than deciding whether or not to broaden now or in a number of extra years.
The NHL not too long ago had two of its current 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 additionally has been dwelling 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 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earlier than leaving due to a dispute concerning the lease for KeyArena, which proprietor Clay Bennett mentioned was outdated.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 recreation in Las Vegas that the league will determine in the calendar yr of 2026 about whether or not it would proceed with pursuing expansion.
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 file was topped 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 U.S. 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 maneuver 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.
The NBA can also be shifting ahead with plans to convey a league to Europe — with remaining bids for potential groups due on March 31, sources mentioned.
