NBA Commissioner Discusses Expansion and Other Key Topics
During a comprehensive media briefing held on Thursday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussed numerous topics concerning the league on the eve of Game 1 of the NBA Finals. One of the key points raised was the possibility of expanding the NBA, a subject that has garnered attention over the past years.
“It will be an agenda topic to assess the general feelings of the ownership group. We have committees in place already in discussions about this. My impression is that we will receive guidance to keep pursuing expansion options,” he explained.
Silver noted that he has received unsolicited inquiries from potential investors interested in team ownership, hinting at a considerable interest in expansion among league stakeholders. However, he cautioned that moving forward with expansion isn’t guaranteed, as it depends on how owners view the league’s future.
“Adding teams is akin to selling a part of the league; if you have faith in its direction, bringing in new partners isn’t always appealing. Nonetheless, we do recognize that there are markets both in the United States and globally that lack NBA representation and deserve teams, outpacing what we could feasibly accommodate,” Silver remarked.
Furthermore, Silver brought up the potential for growth beyond North America, particularly emphasizing NBA Africa and the possibilities of creating a league in Europe.
“This is a form of expansion too. We believe there is potential to engage European fans effectively,” he noted. “My comments are not meant to undermine European basketball, which is of very high quality.”
Silver has been approached about expansion multiple times lately, but previously stated that discussions would not commence until the conclusion of the league’s media rights agreement, which was finalized last July. If approved by the owners, the NBA would initiate a formal evaluation of expansion opportunities.
Seattle, a historic basketball city that lost its SuperSonics to Oklahoma City in 2007, is often mentioned as a prime candidate for an expansion franchise, with Las Vegas being considered another viable option.
Additional Topics of Discussion
Aside from expansion, Silver also touched on various other topics during the conference, including the dynamics of a small-market NBA Finals matchup featuring the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The conversation also drifted to the regular season structure, where Silver expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of reducing the current 82-game season.
“If that were true, we would see more injuries in the latter part of the season or during playoffs compared to the regular season, but we don’t witness that pattern,” he stated.
Instead of trimming the schedule, Silver proposed the idea of enhancing player rest periods, allowing more chances for fans to enjoy games across the season. He also discussed the upcoming All-Star Game, hinting at a potential U.S. versus World format, aligning the timing with the 2026 Winter Olympics, which may help galvanize national pride among players.
“We’ve had constructive talks about this, and I genuinely believe we are making progress towards an exciting change that would elevate both interest and competition levels during the All-Star festivities,” he stated.
Finally, Silver expressed gratitude to Turner Sports, which concluded its 41-year partnership with the NBA this past weekend. He acknowledged their contribution over the years, especially praising their production teams and on-air talent. As the NBA moves into a new era of broadcasting, ESPN is set to take over the beloved “Inside the NBA” show next season after acquiring the rights from Warner Bros. Discovery, although some adjustments to its format are expected.
