WA Gov. Bob Ferguson meeting with NBA commish Adam Silver about Sonics

Tim Booth, The Seattle Times on Nov 4, 2026

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SEATTLE — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson will meet with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday as a possible decision on NBA expansion draws closer.

Ferguson was asked about the meeting at the conclusion of his postelection media availability on Wednesday. It will be a virtual meeting and Ferguson’s office reached out to set it up.

Ferguson previously had conversations with Silver in February during the week of the Super Bowl and again in March to show his support for the idea of bringing the NBA back to Seattle.

That was before the NBA said it was focused solely on Las Vegas and Seattle as expansion possibilities and before the expected price tag for the potential franchises started to make significant climbs. Ferguson said his role is to “maintain communication with the commissioner,” and trying to be helpful in the process.

“I think what I would say is I still remain optimistic. I read all the same news that you do about what is going on with Las Vegas and Seattle. I don’t pretend to have a crystal ball on that and those conversations going on with NBA owners,” Ferguson said. “That said, what I do know is Seattle has a deep history here with Sonic basketball. I lived it as a kid, living close to the old Coliseum.

“Look, I think fans and NBA players across the country understand that NBA basketball needs to return to Seattle. Our bid is strong, we have the right arena. I mean, we check each and every box that the NBA could possibly hope to have for someone bidding for a new team.”

The bid from One Roof Sports and Entertainment has been viewed as the only viable bid from the outset for trying to bring the league back to Seattle, while a bidding war between three groups developed in Las Vegas.

A decision on the winning group in Las Vegas is expected soon and the league has said it still intends to make a final decision on expansion before the end of the calendar year.