Adam Silver is not quite ready to hand out new NBA franchises, but he is getting a lot more specific about where they would go and when a decision might drop. Speaking with reporters in Las Vegas as the Emirates NBA Cup wrapped up, the commissioner said that if the league moves ahead with domestic expansion, Las Vegas and Seattle are the clear front-runners and that a call could come in 2026.
Silver names front‑runners and sets a timeline
Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that Las Vegas and Seattle are being considered for NBA expansion. Speaking ahead of the NBA Cup final in Las Vegas, he said the league is “working with our teams” to gauge interest, aiming for a decision sometime in 2026, according to the NBA. Silver emphasized that expansion is a business decision requiring full owner approval, providing the most concrete U.S. timeline the league has shared.
A closer look at the process
Team owners have authorized a study of NBA expansion, examining the financial and competitive impact of adding new franchises, according to Reuters. The league last grew to 30 teams in 2004 with the Charlotte Bobcats. Seattle has been without a team since the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. Officials say they will review detailed projections and consult current owners before any formal sale or vote.
Why Las Vegas and Seattle stand out
Seattle, meanwhile, brings a long‑simmering, built‑in fan base that has been vocal since the Sonics left, plus an NBA‑ready home in Climate Pledge Arena and persistent civic interest in reviving the franchise, the Spokesman‑Review noted.
What to watch in 2026
Silver said the league will gauge interest from potential ownership groups, with serious talks possibly starting in January and a formal decision expected next year, per ESPN. Owners must weigh expansion fees against the risk of diluting revenue and the competitive impact of more rosters, analysts told Sports Business Journal. Silver also noted the league is reconsidering event locations, including the Cup final, showing that expansion is part of a broader strategic plan, according to NBA.
What fans should expect
Fans in Las Vegas and Seattle should watch the process rather than expect immediate action. Silver’s timeline focuses on arena developments, potential ownership bids, and committee reports. If the league moves forward, Reuters reports fans can expect formal solicitations, detailed pro‑formas, and an owners’ vote, likely during the 2026 governance cycle. Silver emphasized that expansion is primarily a business decision, not just a response to passionate fan bases.
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