NBA Expansion on the Horizon: Las Vegas and Seattle Leading the Race

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is poised for potential expansion, with votes scheduled to determine the addition of two new teams, potentially in Las Vegas and Seattle, starting with the 2028/29 season. The initiative has garnered support from several team owners and the league itself, marking a significant step towards increasing the NBA’s footprint.

The Expansion Process

The league will initially hold a vote with representatives from all 30 franchises to assess the feasibility of expansion. A successful outcome would allow the NBA to formally consider Las Vegas and Seattle, initiating a competition to attract potential billionaire owners. A subsequent vote, potentially before the conclude of the year, will be required to officially approve the expansion to 32 teams. Approval requires at least 23 of the 30 current owners to vote in favor of the expansion in both rounds of voting.

Financial Implications

The estimated cost of establishing a new franchise ranges from $7 to $10 billion. This substantial investment is justified by projections indicating that franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle could rank among the league’s most profitable teams. The value of NBA franchises has seen a dramatic increase in recent years.

In December 2022, the Phoenix Suns were purchased for $4 billion. This record was surpassed in 2025 with the sale of the Boston Celtics to Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion, and then again with the Los Angeles Lakers changing hands for $10 billion – the highest price ever paid for an American sports team. Business Insider

Las Vegas: A Rising Sports Hub

Las Vegas has rapidly become a major destination for professional sports teams, already home to the NHL’s Golden Knights and the NFL’s Raiders. The MLB’s Oakland Athletics are also slated to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028. The NBA is the only major North American league currently without a team in the city, making it an attractive market due to its high tourist volume and vibrant entertainment scene.

Seattle’s Basketball History

Seattle has a rich basketball history, previously home to the SuperSonics, who won a championship in the 1970s. The team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, becoming the Thunder. Bringing basketball back to Seattle would tap into a passionate fanbase eager to reclaim its NBA identity.

Conference Realignment

If both Las Vegas and Seattle are added as expansion teams, it is anticipated that one franchise from the Western Conference (potentially the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies) will move to the Eastern Conference to maintain a balanced structure of 16 teams in each conference.

NFL Ownership Rules

The NFL has specific regulations regarding team ownership. A controlling owner must hold a minimum 30% stake in a franchise, and groups cannot exceed 24 people. Corporations, religious groups, governments, and non-profit organizations are generally prohibited from owning stakes in teams. Wikipedia The Green Bay Packers are an exception, operating as a publicly owned entity, and the Houston Texans have a grandfathered exception allowing Harris County, Texas, government to own 5% of the team.