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The NBA's Board of Governors voted Wednesday to explore bids for expansion franchises exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle, launching the league's first growth since 2004 and moving the NBA toward 32 teams.
NBA Board greenlights exclusive expansion bids for Las Vegas and Seattle teams
According to a report by ESPN, the approval, which passed with strong momentum among owners, will trigger a bidding process expected to generate offers in the $7-10 billion range per team. A potential final vote could come later this year, requiring a three-fourths majority (at least 23 of 30 governors) in both rounds. The two new franchises are targeted to begin play in the 2028-29 season.
Las Vegas already hosts the WNBA champion Aces, the NHL's Golden Knights, the NFL's Raiders, and will welcome MLB's Athletics in 2028, while Seattle has awaited an NBA return since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.
The city now boasts the NHL Kraken and WNBA Storm in the renovated Climate Pledge Arena. The move sets up a multi-month review of bids and applicants, with league officials weighing whether to complete the transactions soon or delay by a few years. Expansion would require realignment of the conferences to 16 teams each, potentially shifting the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to the Eastern Conference.
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