The NBA is taking a significant step toward expansion, with a formal vote set to take place at the upcoming Board of Governors meetings to explore adding new franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle.
“The NBA will hold a vote at the board of governors meetings next week to explore adding expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle, with the two new franchises being targeted to start play in the 2028-29 season,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
This initial vote would not finalize expansion, but it represents the first major checkpoint in a multi-step process. If approved, the league would begin accepting bids for ownership groups in both cities, with a second vote later required to officially confirm the addition of two teams.
“There is momentum within the board of governors and league office to approve moving forward with taking bids for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle,” Charania reported.
Financially, the move could reshape the league.
“Industry executives project proposals in the $7-10 billion range for each team and estimate that both markets would be among the NBA’s top eight revenue generators,” Charania added.
For Seattle, this would mark the long-awaited return of the SuperSonics, who left in 2008. Meanwhile, Las Vegas would secure its first NBA franchise after successfully supporting teams across the NHL, NFL, and WNBA.
If expansion is approved and completed on schedule, both teams are expected to join the Western Conference. That would likely force a reshuffle, with Charania noting that the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies could move to the East to balance conferences.
Commissioner Adam Silver has already indicated a decision timeline, saying the league is expected to determine its expansion direction in 2026.
For now, all eyes shift to the vote, the first real step toward the NBA becoming a 32-team league.
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