The NBA’s Potential Expansion
The NBA is on the verge of expanding its roster of teams, potentially adding two new franchises in upcoming years. This development comes on the heels of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s acknowledgment of the possibility for expansion, first mentioned during a press briefing before the start of the 2020-21 season. Fast forward to recent discussions, and there is growing speculation that a decision could be made as early as this summer.
Frontrunners for New Teams
Reports from Dallas indicate that the NBA Board of Governors is expected to cast votes to approve expansions, with Seattle and Las Vegas emerging as frontrunners for new teams.
Silver has frequently praised both cities for their rich basketball history and potential market viability. In a statement last December, he highlighted Seattle’s past success with the original Sonics and Las Vegas’s robust basketball presence, citing the WNBA Aces and the NBA Summer League’s long-standing tradition in the city.
“We’ve been playing the Summer League here for 20 years,”
Silver noted, reinforcing Las Vegas’s familiarity with the league. He expressed confidence that Las Vegas could successfully support an NBA franchise, despite the competitive sports landscape already present in the city.
Financial Considerations
The crux of the expansion debate revolves around financial considerations. Expanding by two teams would alter the equity distribution within the league, diluting the ownership stakes of existing teams from one-thirtieth to one-thirty-second. Silver explained that any decision would involve a careful analysis of the expected economic landscape for the new franchises, ensuring a thorough understanding of the implications for all involved.
Seattle’s Bid for an NBA Team
Recent developments have further fueled optimism regarding Seattle. Bob Ferguson, Washington’s governor, met with Silver earlier this month, and following their discussion, it was confirmed that bringing an NBA team back to Seattle was a significant topic of their conversation. This is particularly poignant given that the city has been without a professional basketball team for nearly two decades, following the move of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City, where they are now known as the Thunder. Seattle’s campaign for an NBA return has been fervent, with fans consistently voicing their desire for the franchise’s reinstatement.
Market Viability
Beyond historical context, several factors contribute to Seattle’s viability as an NBA market, including a resilient economy, growing population, and an enthusiastic sports fanbase. Las Vegas, while perhaps less conventional as a choice, boasts a burgeoning sports culture, hosting major events and showing promise as an entertainment capital, thus enhancing its candidacy.
Implications of Expansion
If both Seattle and Las Vegas are awarded teams, the league would reach a total of 32 franchises, necessitating realignment of teams across the conferences to maintain balance. Likely candidates for relocation to the Eastern Conference include the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, or New Orleans Pelicans. However, these potential shifts hinge on the outcome of the Board of Governors’ vote, which could be just months away, setting the stage for a new chapter in the NBA’s evolution.
