$20billion starting gun fired as pivotal NBA expansion vote has cities scrambling with timeline emerging

The NBA is reportedly on the verge of expansion with a decision coming as soon as later this month.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the league will hold a vote at the next Board of Governors meetings on March 24-25 regarding the addition of expansion teams.

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The teams will be calling Las Vegas and Seattle home, aiming to debut during the 2028-29 season, and expanding the league from 30 to 32 franchises.

Charania added that there is “momentum” for stakeholders to approve the teams amid expected bids in the $7-10 billion range for both.

If the vote is approved, the league will be allowed to start looking for bids and buyers in both cities.

This would mark the first time the league has been expanded since 2004 when the Charlotte Bobcats entered the league.

The NBA has not had a team in Seattle since 2008, when the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder.

A franchise in Las Vegas would be following in the footsteps of the NFL, NHL, WNBA and MLB in bringing teams to Sin City.

The fact that they are voting marks the first of multiple steps toward an expansion.

This first process will allow the league to focus on Las Vegas and Seattle and have a bidding process for the teams.

If all goes well, and the vote is successful, there could be a final count later in the year to finalize the transitions.

In both rounds of voting, 23 or more governors must be in favor of the expansion, otherwise the proposal will be put aside.

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Proposed relocation is no-brainer for the NBA

If both cities are able to get teams, those franchises will likely join the Western Conference, meaning some re-alignment will need to be done.

Charania identified the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies as teams who could move to the East if the process is successful.

It’s a no-brainer move for the league, with Vegas quickly becoming one of the most attractive sports markets in the country.

They have already seen success in basketball with the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association, who have won three championships since moving to the city.

Another major team is on their way, The Athletics hope that their new stadium, which is aiming to set a new standard in baseball, will be ready for the 2028 MLB season.

As for Seattle, it’s been waiting for the return of the NBA for nearly two decades.

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One of the major reasons the SuperSonics relocated was due to the aging KeyArena facility. 

It has since undergone renovation, and reopened in 2021 as the Climate Pledge Arena, hosting the Seattle Kraken (NHL) and Seattle Storm (WNBA) – making it suitable to host basketball in the city once again. 

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