The NBA appears ready to take the first steps toward expansion for the 2028-29 season.
ESPN reported on Monday, March 16, that the league’s board of governors will hold a meeting next week to explore adding expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle.
The league is moving toward accepting bids from potential franchise owners exclusively in those two cities. The expansion fee is projected to be in the $7-$10 billion range per team, industry executives said. Both the Seattle and Las Vegas franchises would likely be among the league’s top eight revenue generators, ESPN reports.
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If the league moves forward, there could potentially be a vote later this year to finalize the expansion to 32 teams. For the proposal to pass, it would need support from 23 of the 30 governors.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal also reported on Monday that Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver last week to discuss expansion and the Las Vegas market. The outlet previously reported that NBA legend Magic Johnson met with Lombardo about joining an ownership group if Las Vegas were to be awarded a team.
The NBA last expanded in 2004 when it added the Charlotte Hornets. Seattle was home to the Supersonics from 1967 to 2008, when owner Clay Bennett moved the franchise to Oklahoma City in 2008 after a dispute over building a new arena. Las Vegas has never had an NBA team, but has added NFL and NHL franchises over the past decade. The A’s are also planning to move to Las Vegas ahead of the 2028 MLB season.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in December the league planned to decide in 2026 whether to seek further expansion.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA looking toward expanding to Las Vegas, Seattle in 2028
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