NBA officially announces plans to explore Las Vegas expansion

NEW YORK — The NBA is officially looking into bringing an expansion franchise to Las Vegas after a Wednesday vote by the league’s board of governors.

The board voted to explore expansion in Las Vegas and Seattle, the NBA announced.

“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle — two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”

Silver said during a news conference that he is excited about the expansion topic and that it was the right time to formally begin that with Las Vegas and Seattle.

“We’ve had discussions with elected officials, both in Las Vegas and Seattle and Nevada and the state of Washington,” Silver said. “We have long histories in both those market s… We have a WNBA team in Las Vegas. Been there for several years now with great success. And I used to joke with both Mayors Goodman, Oscar and Carolyn that it was as if we had a franchise in Las Vegas already with our summer league. Given that we occupy that two-week plus period in July, it’s become a major place of operation for the league, and we have multiple USA Basketball training camps there as well. So I think two markets with deep basketball roots and deep connections to the NBA.”

The NBA hired investment bank PJT Partners to serve as a strategic adviser to evaluate the two cities, including the ownership groups, arena infrastructure and the economic impacts of expansion.

Silver said he wants to have an answer this year on if the league will expand or not. He noted they could expand to both Las Vegas or Seattle, only expand to one of the markets, or not expand at all.

“That’s sort of what’s on the table right now,” Silver said. “As to why it might not happen, at least standing here today, there’s nothing that I see in the relatively short-term future of this league that would indicate in any way that there won’t be enormous interest in those markets and that the board will continue to support moving forward.”

A vote to expand to Las Vegas and Seattle will require 75% of owners in favor of expansion.

Along with Las Vegas, which already has the NFL’s Raiders, NHL’s Golden Knights and WNBA’s Aces, as well as MLB’s Athletics relocating to Southern Nevada in 2028, the league will explore adding a team in Seattle. The Pacific Northwest city was once home to the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics, between 1967 and 2008, when the team relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

The league will now officially meet with interested team ownership groups and civic leaders in Las Vegas and Seattle. The expansion fee to be paid for by an ownership group in Las Vegas and Seattle is expected to be between $7-10 billion. Silver did not note a specific value that a the expansion fee will be and said determining that will be part of the exploration process.

Silver and Gov. Joe Lombardo had a discussion about NBA expansion this month, according to a spokesperson with the governor’s office. Lombardo also met in person in February with NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson and members of his ownership group dubbed the MAGI.

Having the five-time NBA champion Johnson interested in Las Vegas is a positive aspect for the potential ownership group, according to Silver.

“Magic Johnson, of course, one of our greatest players ever and also has had incredible success off the floor as well,” Silver said. “I have a strong personal relationship with him and he was beloved around the league. So I know interest from Magic will be welcomed by the league office. As I said, you know, in some cases, there are people who will be leading groups, and there’s others who have indicated that they want to be parts of ownership groups. So that’s what we’ll now see as the process unfolds.”

Another ownership group includes Golden Knights owner Bill Foley, who has expressed interest in owning an NBA expansion franchise.

Lombardo said in a statement Wednedsay he’s looking forward to the NBA joining the city’s sports landscape.

“I’m very excited to see the NBA advance this process toward a Las Vegas expansion team,” Lombardo said. “Today’s vote by the NBA Board of Governors is a testament to the incredible growth we’re seeing in Southern Nevada and our state’s business-friendly environment.

“Las Vegans have already shown unwavering support for our professional sports franchises, and a new NBA team will provide even more entertainment, more jobs, and more small business growth for the region.

“I look forward to continuing conversations with Commissioner Silver and league officials to ensure this expansion delivers lasting benefits for the state of Nevada.”

Clark County Commission chairman Michael Naft said adding an NBA team in Las Vegas would further grow the pro sports economy in Southern Nevada.

“Southern Nevada has built a $1 billion+ sports economy, and the NBA’s potential expansion to our destination shows that momentum is still growing,” Naft said in a statement. “An NBA team for Vegas is how we continue to grow jobs, tourism, and our reputation as the Sports & Entertainment Capital of the world. I look forward to working with the league and development partners to bring the NBA to our jurisdiction.”

MGM Resorts president and CEO Bill Hornbuckle said Wednesday that they would welcome an NBA team to T-Mobile Arena, a facilty the gaming giant partly owns.

“Thanks to the NBA’s board of governors for voting to explore expansion into Las Vegas,” Hornbuckle said in a statement. “It’s only the first step, but it’s a big step. A new team would be great for both locals and visitors, while creating jobs and providing a boost to the economy.

“T-Mobile Arena was built for basketball and hockey. Our long-standing relationship with the League is a positive one that stretches back many years, and we would welcome the opportunity to work with the NBA on creating an unforgettable fan experience.”

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