NBA Expansion Discussions
During a recent media briefing in Las Vegas, a city at the forefront of discussions regarding NBA expansion, Commissioner Adam Silver revealed that a significant decision regarding the league’s future structure would come next year.
“We’re currently assessing the interest levels from our teams and seeking a clearer understanding of the economic implications for potential new franchises,”
he stated ahead of the NBA Cup title match. According to Silver, a determination is expected to be reached sometime in 2026.
Current Candidates and Considerations
The dialogue surrounding NBA expansion has been ongoing, with cities like Seattle and Las Vegas being primary candidates for new teams. Silver had previously indicated that he intended to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the players, along with securing a new television deal, before turning serious attention to expansion plans. Despite reaching those milestones, many feel the league is moving at a sluggish pace.
Last summer, Silver acknowledged that team owners had commissioned comprehensive research on the economic and non-economic factors surrounding expansion. This comes amid the owners’ interest in establishing an independent league in Europe, which seems to have gained more traction.
Fair Treatment for Candidate Cities
Silver emphasized the importance of treating Seattle and Las Vegas fairly, noting,
“It’s not a secret that we are exploring the Las Vegas market, along with Seattle and others. I understand the frustration about prolonged discussions and want to be considerate about how we approach these cities.”
He pointed out the complexities involved in expanding domestically compared to launching a new league elsewhere, highlighting that the addition of new teams would alter ownership stakes within the existing league, making the economic calculations more challenging.
Basketball Heritage and Ownership Concerns
Both Seattle and Las Vegas boast strong basketball backgrounds. Seattle previously hosted a successful NBA team, while Las Vegas is home to a WNBA franchise, the Aces, and has been involved in NBA Summer League events for two decades. Barring any flip-flops in strategy, the ultimate decision about expansion will rest on whether the existing owners agree that the considerable one-time revenues from expansion fees justify sacrificing part of their league ownership in the long term. Some owners remain skeptical about this trade-off, despite the increasing values of franchises.
Relocation Speculations
There is also considerable speculation about the potential relocation of franchises to either Seattle or Las Vegas. Silver clarified his lack of jurisdiction over team relocations, stating that such movements require the consent of the current franchise’s owner and are subject to specific processes. Despite some markets generating lower revenues, he affirmed that they still deserve NBA franchises based on their historical community support and operational success.
Regardless of the uncertainties, Silver insists that a decision regarding expansion will likely be finalized next year.
