NBA Expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas: A Vote on the Horizon

The NBA is poised to potentially add two new franchises, bringing the league’s total to 32 teams. A vote to explore expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas is scheduled for next week’s Board of Governors meeting, with a decision potentially arriving later in 2026. This move could significantly alter the landscape of professional basketball in North America.

Why Expand Now?

Expansion is fundamentally an economic decision for the NBA’s 30 current owners. The question centers on whether the benefits of adding two teams – despite diluting ownership percentages – outweigh the costs. Currently, each team owns approximately 3.33% of the league. Expansion to 32 teams would reduce that share to 3.13% ESPN.

The Cities: Seattle and Las Vegas

Both Seattle and Las Vegas are considered prime candidates for expansion franchises. Seattle is eager to reclaim its NBA identity after the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, becoming the Thunder Sports Illustrated. Las Vegas, meanwhile, has rapidly emerged as a major sports destination, already home to teams in the NHL (Golden Knights) and NFL (Raiders), and is set to welcome the MLB’s Athletics USA Today.

The Financial Implications

The cost of entry for new ownership groups is expected to be substantial, ranging from $7 billion to $10 billion per franchise USA Today. This would potentially net existing team owners around $500 million each.

The Voting Process

The initial vote next week requires at least 23 of the 30 current team owners to approve exploring expansion. If this threshold is met, a bidding process for the new franchises will begin. A final decision on adding the two teams will then require another vote, again needing at least 23 affirmative votes ESPN.

Potential Expansion Draft

An expansion draft is likely to occur, similar to those used when previous teams were added to the league. This would allow the new franchises to build their rosters by selecting players from existing teams Sports Illustrated.

Timeline

If approved, the Seattle and Las Vegas franchises are targeted to begin play in the 2028-29 season ESPN.

Possible Team Names

While not official, potential team names have been discussed. In Las Vegas, options include the High Rollers, Outlaws, or Spades. Seattle is widely expected to revive the SuperSonics name USA Today.