LeBron James ends interest in owning Las Vegas NBA expansion team
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has confirmed he will no longer pursue an ownership stake in a potential NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas.
The 40-year-old had previously been highly vocal about his desire to bring a professional basketball organisation to Nevada.
However, the four-time NBA champion definitively ruled out the venture following his team’s 124-116 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
“No, I’m not. Not at all.”
James told reporters when asked about his potential involvement in joining a formal bidding group.
Board of governors vote looms
The NBA’s board of governors is scheduled to meet next week to officially vote on opening the expansion bidding process.
This highly anticipated upcoming vote is expected to pave the way for establishing new franchises in both Las Vegas and Seattle.
Industry executives anticipate that successful proposals for each new team could demand a staggering entry fee of between $7bn and $10bn.
A sudden change of heart
This definitive withdrawal marks a significant public reversal for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
During a 2022 episode of his digital talk show, the former Cleveland Cavaliers star emphatically stated his ownership ambitions.
“I want a team in Vegas. I want the team in Vegas.”
Despite those past declarations, the American superstar has now firmly closed the door on spearheading an ownership syndicate.
Instead, his immediate focus remains strictly on the court after delivering a 30-point performance to help secure a crucial away victory in Houston.