NBA Owners Vote on Vegas & Seattle Expansion Next Week!

NBA Poised for Expansion: Vegas and Seattle Next?

The NBA is buzzing with news that the league’s 30 owners are set to hold a significant vote next week. This vote isn’t about bringing new teams into the league tomorrow, but it’s a major step towards potentially adding two new franchises. The focus is on exploring expansion possibilities for both Las Vegas and Seattle, with a target season of 2028-2029.

This upcoming vote is being described as a mere formality. However, its importance cannot be overstated. It will officially grant the NBA permission to start gathering official bids from interested parties. Industry insiders are already talking about some seriously big numbers, expecting bids to land somewhere between $7 billion and $10 billion for each new franchise. That’s a massive amount of money, showing just how valuable an NBA team is considered.

A Multi-Step Process to 32 Teams

Don’t expect to see new teams on the court overnight. This expansion is a carefully planned, multi-step process. First, the league needs the owners’ approval to even begin looking at bids. Over the next several months, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will be in constant talks with the owners, discussing all the details. A final vote to officially approve the expansion, bringing the league to a total of 32 teams, is expected before the end of 2026.

For the current owners, this decision involves a lot of financial thinking. Moving from sharing league revenue among 30 teams to 32 means a slightly smaller slice of the pie for everyone. But if the potential revenue from expansion fees and increased market value is as high as anticipated, the financial sense becomes very clear. The expectation among many is that expansion is not a question of ‘if,’ but ‘when,’ and this vote brings us closer to that ‘when.’

Why Vegas and Seattle?

Both Las Vegas and Seattle have strong cases for NBA expansion. Las Vegas has already proven itself as a successful market for professional sports with the NFL’s Raiders and the NHL’s Golden Knights. The city is known for its entertainment and tourism, making it a potentially lucrative market for a new basketball team. Its growing population and passionate sports fanbase make it an attractive destination.

Seattle, on the other hand, has a rich basketball history. The city mourned the departure of the SuperSonics in 2008, and fans have been eager for an NBA team to return ever since. There’s a deeply ingrained fanbase in Seattle that has kept the dream of an NBA return alive for years. The city has the infrastructure and the demand to support a successful franchise, and many believe it’s long overdue for the league to return.

What This Means Going Forward

The potential addition of two new teams is more than just adding more games to the schedule. It means new rivalries could be born, new stars could emerge, and the competitive balance of the league could shift. For the players, more teams could mean more opportunities, though it also means a longer season and potentially more travel.

The financial aspect is also huge. The reported $7 to $10 billion valuation per team suggests that the NBA sees immense growth potential in these markets. This influx of capital could be reinvested into the league, improving facilities, player development, and overall fan experience. It’s a move that could solidify the NBA’s position as a global sports powerhouse for years to come.

As the league moves closer to this expansion, all eyes will be on the owners’ vote next week. It’s the first official step in what could be a historic moment for the NBA, bringing the game to new fans and new cities. The excitement is palpable, and the next few years will be crucial in shaping the future landscape of professional basketball.

Source: Shams says the NBA will have a 'formality vote' for two new expansion teams next week 🏀 (YouTube)