NBA Eyes Potential Expansion to Include Seattle and Las Vegas as Board of Governors Prepares for Key Discussions

In addition to potential updates regarding the previously announced European expansion plans, the NBA Board of Governors is preparing to deliberate on potential expansion cities in North America during their upcoming meeting in July.

“I’m aware of the strong interest that exists in Seattle and Las Vegas, among other cities, whether it’s through articles I’ve read or feedback I’ve received from various sources,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated in a recent interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio. “However, to clarify, we have not initiated any formal process yet. Even though certain cities have expressed their interest, we have responded by saying, ‘Thank you for your enthusiasm, but we’re not ready to hold meetings or engage in deeper talks just yet.’ We will have the chance in early summer to connect with the different ownership groups in the NBA and gauge their interest.”

This meeting would mark the league’s first official discussions regarding an expansion, potentially increasing the number of teams from 30 to 32, following the recent collective bargaining agreement and media rights contract. The initial discussions would initiate a lengthy process before the formal acceptance of new cities and teams.

Concerning the annual All-Star Game, Silver disclosed plans to revisit the schedule format, including the possibility of creating a matchup between a team of U.S. players and a Team World.

“With the Winter Olympics airing on NBC during that time,” he explained, “the programming leading into the All-Star Game will revolve around Olympic events, with our game serving as a lead-in to the Olympics. I think this is a natural fit, especially since we’ll be in Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Summer Olympics. While this may not be a major rule change, it’s something we discussed at the GM’s meeting and want to execute properly.”

“There might be an opportunity to adjust the timing of the event to enhance interest at other points in the season,” he added.

Stay informed with the latest updates.