Trending Now - NBA Considers Expansion With Seattle and Vegas as Front Runners
WHO:
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson expressed interest in bringing the SuperSonics back to Seattle during a conversation with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington stated that Seattle's recent sports successes have showcased the city to the NBA.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the league will decide in 2026 about pursuing expansion.
Shams Charania, ESPN reporter, reported on the upcoming board of governors meeting.
Mat Ishbia, purchased the Phoenix Suns in December 2022 for a then-record $4 billion valuation.
Bill Chisholm, sold the Boston Celtics for a $6.1 billion valuation in 2025.
Mark Walter, purchased the Los Angeles Lakers for $10 billion in 2025.
Tom Dundon, purchased the Portland Trail Blazers for $4.25 billion in August 2025.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
Shams Charania, ESPN reporter
NBA Board of Governors
Existing NBA owners (30 total)
National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)
Clay Bennett, owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder
WHAT:
The NBA is expected to explore purchase processes for Las Vegas and Seattle, with expansion fees projected to be in the $7 billion to $10 billion range for each team.
The NBA's expansion would increase the number of teams from 30 to 32.
The NBA's board of governors will vote on March 25th, 2026, to explore adding teams in Las Vegas and Seattle.
Expansion fees for each team are projected to be between $7 billion and $10 billion, with industry sources suggesting it could run as high as $8 billion per team.
The NBA last expanded in 2004 with the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats.
The NBA is expected to finalize bids for prospective teams in Europe by March 31st, 2026.
The NBA's media rights deal is an 11-year, $76 billion package split between Disney, Amazon, and Comcast.
The NBA will hold a vote to explore adding expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle.
The targeted start for the new franchises is the 2028-29 season.
Expansion fees for each team are projected to be between $7 billion and $10 billion.
The last NBA expansion occurred in 2004 with the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats.
The NBA currently has 30 teams, and expansion would increase that to 32 teams.
The vote requires approval from 23 of the 30 existing owners.
The Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies are expected to move to the Eastern Conference to balance the divisions.
WHERE:
The renovated Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle is now home to the WNBA's Storm and NHL's Kraken.
Seattle is noted as the second-largest American media market without an NBA team, after Tampa.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Seattle, Washington
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle (renovated venue)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (former home of the SuperSonics)
WHEN:
The NBA's Board of Governors will vote on March 24-25, 2026, to explore adding expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle.
The NBA's board of governors meeting to vote on expansion is scheduled for March 25th, 2026.
The NBA Cup championship game where Commissioner Adam Silver announced the decision regarding expansion was on December 16th, 2025.
The vote will take place at the board of governors meeting on March 23rd, 2026.
The NBA Cup championship game where Silver announced the decision was on December 16th, 2025.
The SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.
The Climate Pledge Arena underwent renovations from 2018 to 2021.
WHY:
Governor Ferguson indicated that he wants to be helpful in the process of bringing the SuperSonics back to Seattle.
Expansion is seen as a way to increase long-term revenue growth for the league, with Las Vegas and Seattle expected to be among the NBA's top-eight revenue generators.
Expansion is seen as a way to increase long-term revenue growth for the league, with projections indicating that both Las Vegas and Seattle would be among the NBA's top-eight revenue generators.
Expansion is seen as a way to increase long-term revenue growth for the league.
The appeal of Las Vegas and Seattle as markets is expected to generate significant revenue.
Existing owners are hesitant about dilution of their equity from 1/30 to 1/32.
HOW:
The NBA's first vote will allow the league to focus on Las Vegas and Seattle for the bidding process for new franchises.
The NBA will focus on Las Vegas and Seattle for the bidding process for new franchises, with a potential final vote later in 2026 to finalize the transactions to 32 teams.
The NBA will conduct a formal vote to finalize the expansion later in 2026, with the first vote allowing the league to focus on Las Vegas and Seattle for the bidding process.
The NBA will focus on Las Vegas and Seattle for the bidding process for new franchises.
The league will conduct a formal vote to finalize the expansion later in 2026.
The NBA will evaluate the entire process of expansion, including the rules for the expansion draft and salary cap implications.
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 01:27 UTC)
In a significant development for basketball fans, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has expressed his desire to bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle during a recent discussion with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. The NBA is set to vote on March 24-25 to explore the possibility of adding expansion teams in both Las Vegas and Seattle, with potential fees estimated between $7 billion and $10 billion for each franchise. Ferguson emphasized his commitment to supporting this initiative, as Seattle's recent sports successes have showcased the city as a prime candidate for NBA expansion.
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(UPDATED March 16, 2026 23:09 UTC)
In a significant announcement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver revealed that the league's board of governors will meet on March 25, 2026, to vote on the potential expansion of teams in Las Vegas and Seattle. If approved, the expansion fees for each new team could range from $7 billion to $10 billion, with sources suggesting an average of around $8 billion. This move comes as the NBA looks to boost long-term revenue, with Seattle being the second-largest U.S. media market without an NBA team, following Tampa.
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(UPDATED March 16, 2026 19:20 UTC)
In a significant move for the NBA, the league is expected to finalize bids for prospective teams in Europe by March 31, 2026, following a recent announcement by Commissioner Adam Silver during the NBA Cup championship game on December 16, 2025. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to boost long-term revenue growth, with projections suggesting that both Las Vegas and Seattle could become top revenue generators for the league. Additionally, the NBA's media rights deal, valued at $76 billion over 11 years, is split between Disney, Amazon, and Comcast, highlighting the league's financial strength as it prepares for potential expansion.
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(UPDATED March 16, 2026 17:20 UTC)
The NBA is set to hold a crucial vote on March 23 to explore the addition of expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle, with the goal of launching these new franchises in the 2028-29 season. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the expansion fees for each team could range from $7 billion to $10 billion, and the league currently has 30 teams, which would increase to 32 if the vote passes with the approval of at least 23 existing owners. This potential expansion comes as the league looks to tap into the lucrative markets of Las Vegas and Seattle, while also considering the balance of divisions, which may involve moving either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to the Eastern Conference.