NBA sets initial board vote on Las Vegas and Seattle expansion teams
The NBA Board of Governors will vote next week on exploring the addition of exclusive expansion franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle for the 2028-29 season.
Momentum is reportedly building within the league office to begin accepting formal bids for the two new clubs.
Industry executives estimate that establishing teams in these markets could generate proposals ranging between $7bn and $10bn per franchise.
Both prospective additions are projected to become top-eight revenue generators for the North American basketball league.
Bidding process and equity concerns
This initial ballot represents the first critical step in a lengthy process to increase the competition from 30 to 32 participants.
Should the governing body approve the measure, a bidding phase will commence before a final ratification vote later this year.
Both stages of the procedure will require the support of at least 23 of the 30 current franchise governors.
While many owners welcome the promise of long-term revenue growth, some remain hesitant about diluting their league equity and demand to see finalised franchise fees before committing.
Return to the Pacific Northwest
Approving a club in Washington state would mark a triumphant return for professional men’s basketball to a region that lost its beloved SuperSonics in 2008.
The former Seattle outfit relocated to Oklahoma City following a bitter dispute over the allegedly outdated KeyArena facility.
That venue has since undergone extensive renovations to become Climate Pledge Arena, which successfully hosts the NHL’s Kraken and the WNBA’s Storm.
Nevada’s sporting boom continues
A successful bid for Nevada would cement the desert city’s rapidly growing reputation as a premier global sports hub.
The region has recently welcomed major professional outfits including American football’s Raiders and ice hockey’s Golden Knights, while baseball’s Athletics plan to relocate there by 2028.
Furthermore, the local WNBA side, the Aces, have claimed three national championships since arriving in 2018.
Speaking at the in-season tournament climax in December, Commissioner Adam Silver indicated that the organisation would make a definitive ruling on expansion during the 2026 calendar year.
Surging franchise valuations
The appetite for introducing new entities arrives during a period of unprecedented financial growth across the sport.
Recent high-profile ownership changes have established new valuation records for American professional sports properties:
- Phoenix Suns: Acquired by Mat Ishbia for $4bn in December 2022.
- Boston Celtics: Sold to Bill Chisholm for $6.1bn in 2025.
- Los Angeles Lakers: Purchased by Mark Walter for a United States record $10bn.