All 30 NBA owners voted in favor of exploring expansion bids for Seattle and Las Vegas, marking a step toward possible new teams starting in the 2028-29 season.
The NBA Board of Governors unanimously voted on Wednesday to explore bids for expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, according to a statement from the league.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the vote reflects the board's interest in these markets, which have shown strong support for basketball. He noted that the league will now engage with potential bidders.
Historical Context of the Cities
Seattle previously hosted the SuperSonics until the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 due to arena issues, leaving the city without an NBA team for years.
Las Vegas has emerged as a major sports hub, currently home to NFL's Raiders and NHL's Golden Knights, with Major League Baseball's Athletics also planning to move there.
The exploration process could lead to bids valued between $7 billion and $10 billion per team, as reported by ESPN, though no final decisions have been made.
If expansion proceeds, the new teams are expected to begin play in the 2028-29 season, representing the NBA's first major addition since the Charlotte Bobcats joined in 2004.
To maintain balance, league executives anticipate that either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies might shift from the Western to the Eastern Conference, adjusting to 16 teams per conference.
