The NBA is moving closer to possible expansion.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the league plans to hold a vote during the Board of Governors meetings on March 24-25.
If 23 out of 30 governors approve, the NBA will begin looking into adding two new franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle. This vote won’t finalize the decision but will allow the league to start considering bids.
The goal for both teams would be to join the league by the 2028–29 season, if everything goes well.
High Cost for NBA Expansion
Charania also noted that the financial stakes are high. Experts in the industry estimate that ownership groups might pay between $7 billion and $10 billion for teams in Seattle and Las Vegas.
“Industry executives tell me that you’re looking at somewhere between $7 (billion) to $10 billion per team, for Seattle and Las Vegas,” Charania said.
Currently, the vote is seen more as a formality. Charania mentions that there’s growing support among team owners for approving it, as it would allow the league to gauge interest and potential bids in those markets.