The NBA’s Board of Governors has voted unanimously to pursue expansion bids exclusively for new teams in Las Vegas and Seattle, marking a significant step toward growing the league to 32 franchises.
The decision came during the board’s meetings on March 24-25, with all 30 current owners giving their approval. This greenlights a formal process to evaluate potential ownership groups, arena plans and market viability in those cities over the coming months. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the move in a statement, noting the markets’ established fan bases for basketball. The league has enlisted investment bank PJT Partners to assist in assessing bids, infrastructure and economic factors.
League sources indicate bids could reach $7-10 billion per team, promising substantial one-time payouts to existing owners and long-term revenue boosts from these high-profile locations. Silver held a news conference in New York on March 25 to outline the path ahead, emphasizing a thorough review before any final commitments. He stressed that while expansion aligns with strategic goals, external factors like global economic conditions could influence timing.
Seattle holds particular resonance, having hosted the SuperSonics from 1967 until their relocation to Oklahoma City in 2008, where they became the Thunder. Las Vegas has emerged as a basketball hotbed, hosting events like the NBA Cup final. Both cities boast strong infrastructure support, with discussions already underway involving local officials in Washington and Nevada.
This first vote requires no immediate action but sets up a potential second vote later in 2026 to approve actual franchises, needing 23 of 30 governors’ support. If approved promptly, new teams could tip off as early as the 2028-29 season, ending a 24-year expansion drought since Charlotte joined in 2004. Executives anticipate conference realignment, possibly shifting a Western Conference team like the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies eastward to balance 16 teams per side.
The move reflects broad owner consensus on expansion as inevitable, driven by revenue potential rather than short-term cash grabs. It positions the NBA for sustained growth amid rising global interest in the sport.
Breaking: The NBA's Board of Governors has approved a vote for the league to explore bids and applicants for expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle, sources tell ESPN. A bidding process is expected to generate offers in the $7-10 billion range for each team. pic.twitter.com/yEaLPjnTVf
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2026
