NBA Expansion: Las Vegas and Seattle Move Closer to 2028 Debut
- That upcoming vote is expected to draw broad alignment from the 30 team representatives.
- Silver noted that the process is multi-year and does not guarantee a final successful entry.
- He added that new teams could join by the 2028-29 campaign without harming overall competition quality.
That upcoming vote is expected to draw broad alignment from the 30 team representatives. A positive outcome would authorize the league to accept ownership proposals for the two new markets, with franchise valuations estimated between $7 and $10 billion.
Commissioner Adam Silver Sets the 2026 Timeline
Silver noted that the process is multi-year and does not guarantee a final successful entry.
He added that new teams could join by the 2028-29 campaign without harming overall competition quality. The expansion timeline follows the ratification of a collective bargaining agreement in the 2023-24 season and a media rights package.
Western Conference Realignment and Memphis, Minnesota Shifts
Adding franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas requires structural changes to the league’s conference alignment.
Geographic mapping indicates the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves are positioned to make that transition.
Seattle Awaits the Return of Basketball
Seattle has remained without an NBA franchise since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.
For marketing and historical reasons, the new Seattle franchise is widely expected to adopt the SuperSonics name.
Las Vegas Cements Status as a Basketball Hub
Las Vegas has built a steady history with basketball through the annual NBA Summer League, the NBA All-Star Game, and the final rounds of the NBA Cup.
Proposals for Montreal or Mexico City were set aside in favor of these two North American markets. Beyond the domestic expansion vote, the league has explored international initiatives, including a proposed European league co-founded with FIBA that could launch between 2027 and 2028.
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