Published on: March 25, 2026, 12:26h.

Updated on: March 25, 2026, 12:26h.

• The NBA Board of Governors convened on Wednesday to sanction a formal inquiry into expansion for Las Vegas and Seattle.
• Proposed franchise fees could reach $10 billion, highlighting Las Vegas’ emergence as a premier sports destination.
• A conclusive vote later this year is necessary to determine if the teams can debut in the 2028–29 season.

Las Vegas edged closer to acquiring its professional basketball team on Wednesday, as the league’s Board of Governors authorized an official investigation into expansion bids for the city. This decision paves the way for the league to start assessing ownership groups, venue plans, and financial propositions specifically for Las Vegas and Seattle, both of which are among the most sought-after markets in professional sports.

Although this approval does not confirm expansion, it strongly signals that Las Vegas might soon secure its inaugural NBA franchise.

The financial implications would be remarkable. Initial estimates from industry insiders and ESPN suggest that expansion fees could range between $7 billion and $10 billion per franchise. This eye-popping valuation mirrors the league’s skyrocketing media revenue and Las Vegas’ established reputation as a ready-to-handle sports destination.

Commissioner Adam Silver has spent the past year commending Las Vegas’ preparedness, pointing to the thriving NBA Summer League and the Emirates NBA Cup as validation.

“Las Vegas has demonstrated an exceptional enthusiasm for elite basketball,” Silver remarked during his recent annual press conference.

The Final Piece

Las Vegas already boasts the NHL’s Golden Knights, the NFL’s Raiders, and the WNBA’s Aces, and is set to welcome MLB’s Athletics. An NBA franchise signifies the final piece in its professional sports puzzle, marking its transformation from a gambling-centric locale to a prominent U.S. sports hub.

The existing infrastructure serves as a crucial selling point. While T-Mobile Arena is currently the top candidate for a temporary venue, several ownership groups are reportedly competing to create a permanent solution. (Leading contenders include Resorts World and the Rio, with the LVXP project still proposing a site adjacent to the abandoned All Net arena near the Fontainebleau.)

Wednesday’s vote is the initial step out of two required approvals. A definitive expansion vote is anticipated later this year and will need backing from 23 of the league’s 30 owners. Insiders have indicated that momentum is “strong” and “growing,” with numerous owners recognizing expansion as a profitable prospect due to increasing franchise valuations.

Path to 2028

Seattle, which has been without a franchise since the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, is the other city in this expansion initiative. It is likely that both cities will be placed in the Western Conference, prompting a broader league realignment that could move a team like the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to the Eastern Conference.

A binding expansion vote is expected before the conclusion of 2026, necessitating approval from 23 of the current 30 owners. If successful, both Las Vegas and Seattle teams are projected to commence play in the 2028–29 season, marking the league’s first expansion since the Charlotte Bobcats joined in 2004.