It feels like the NBA is getting closer to adding one or two more teams to the league.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver gave the latest update on a potential league expansion Monday while confirming that the league will heavily consider the possibility of adding new teams over the next few years.
The commissioner made it clear nothing will be rushed as the current top priority is to complete the next media rights deal with the current one set to expire after the 2024-25 season, according to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov.
“We will turn to expansion once those new media deals are done,” Silver said. “It’s not a sure thing but, as I’ve said before, I think it’s natural that organizations grow over time.”
Two cities mentioned by Silver as potential spots for new franchises were Las Vegas and Seattle, which previously had the Supersonics, who are now in Oklahoma City.
“We will look at [Las Vegas],” Silver said. “There’s no doubt there’s enormous interest in Seattle. That’s not a secret. There are other markets that have indicated interest. For the people who hear or read about this interview, we are not engaged in that process now. We’re not taking meetings right now with any potential groups.”
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The NBA most recently expanded back in 2005 when the Charlotte Bobcats (now the Hornets) came into existence. The team has had little to no success in terms of winning or even getting into the postseason.
Las Vegas has never had an NBA team but did host the All-Star Game in 2007.
LeBron James hasn’t been shy about his desire to be involved in an ownership group of an NBA team and he reportedly wants to do it in Las Vegas should they get a team.
Last month, Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke said that his company is now budgeting $10 billion for a potentially suitable basketball arena in Las Vegas. OVG led the $1.15 billion rebuild of Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, which is also seen as a frontrunner for a future NBA expansion team.
Vegas is a growing sports city that has an NFL team, WNBA team, XFL team, and quite possibly an MLB team on the way.
