The NBA is on the verge of one of the most transformative decisions in its modern history. League governors are set to cast a pivotal ballot that could usher in two marquee franchises, bringing professional basketball to cities that have long proven their hunger for elite-level sports.
The NBA Expansion Vote That Could Change Everything
Governors are scheduled to meet next week to formally advance the process of adding franchises exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle, with both teams targeted to begin play during the 2028-29 season. The vote, the first of what is expected to be multiple critical steps, would allow the league to focus on those two markets and launch a formal bidding process.
For the measure to move forward, 23 of 30 governors must vote in favor — a threshold that also applies to the second, finalizing vote expected later in the year. There is growing momentum within both the board of governors and the league office to successfully push expansion across the finish line soon.
Billion-Dollar Bids and Top-Eight Revenue Potential
Industry executives project franchise proposals will land in the $7 billion to $10 billion range for each team. Both Las Vegas and Nevada are estimated to become top-eight revenue generators for the NBA — a prospect that has accelerated enthusiasm among ownership groups. The league’s current collective bargaining agreement, widely viewed as parity-friendly, is expected to make each expansion franchise an attractive acquisition target.
Still, not every owner is fully on board. Some governors remain cautious about diluting their existing equity stakes, a shift from 1/30 to 1/32 of the league. Many want to review final franchise valuations and individual fees before committing. The debate pits long-term revenue optimism against short-term ownership dilution.
A Region Already Proven in Pro Sports
Both cities have well-established track records of welcoming major franchises:
- Las Vegas is home to the NHL’s Golden Knights (2017), the NFL’s Raiders (2020), the WNBA’s Aces (2018), and soon, MLB’s Athletics (2028)
- Seattle hosts the NHL’s Kraken (2021) and the WNBA’s Storm, both playing at Climate Pledge Arena — the newly renovated facility formerly known as KeyArena
The Aces, notably, are three-time WNBA champions (2022, 2023, 2025), underscoring Las Vegas as a winning sports market. Seattle, meanwhile, has been without an NBA team since 2008, when the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and rebranded as the Thunder following a contentious lease dispute over the original KeyArena.
Expansion Valuations Reflect the NBA’s Skyrocketing Worth
Recent franchise sales illustrate just how much the league’s financial ceiling has risen:
- Phoenix Suns — sold to Mat Ishbia in December 2022 for $4 billion
- Boston Celtics — sold to Bill Chisholm in 2025 for $6.1 billion
- Los Angeles Lakers — sold to Mark Walter in 2025 for $10 billion, the largest sum ever paid for a U.S. professional sports team
- Portland Trail Blazers — sold to Tom Dundon in August 2025 for $4.25 billion
These figures highlight why expansion fees in the $7 billion to $10 billion range are now considered realistic rather than aspirational.
Conference Realignment and a European Horizon
As expansion takes shape, internal discussions are already focused on realignment. NBA executives expect either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to shift to the Eastern Conference once Las Vegas and Seattle are added as Western Conference teams, bringing each conference to an even 16 teams.
The league’s ambitions also extend beyond North American borders. Final bids for prospective teams in a planned NBA Europe league are due by March 31, signaling that Commissioner Adam Silver’s vision for a truly global basketball footprint is well underway.
The last time the NBA expansion was welcomed was in 2004, when Charlotte joined. More than two decades later, the league appears ready to write its next chapter — and two cities are racing to be part of it.
Source: ESPN
