The National Basketball Association could be on the verge of its first expansion in more than two decades. According to reports, the NBA’s Board of Governors will vote next week on whether to formally begin the process of adding two expansion franchises, with Las Vegas and Seattle emerging as the exclusive target markets. If approved, the new teams are expected to begin play during the 2028–29 NBA season, expanding the league from 30 to 32 franchises.
League insiders say momentum is growing among owners to begin accepting bids for the two teams. The vote next week would represent the first major step, allowing the league to formally open the bidding process. For expansion to move forward, 23 of the NBA’s 30 governors must approve the plan. If the initial vote passes, a second vote later in 2026 would finalize the addition of the new franchises.
Industry executives believe ownership groups could submit bids between $7 billion and $10 billion per team, which would immediately make these franchises among the most valuable in professional sports. The interest stems from the belief that both Las Vegas and Seattle could quickly become top-eight revenue markets within the league.
Las Vegas: America’s New Sports Capital
Las Vegas has rapidly become one of the most attractive sports markets in North America. The city already hosts several major franchises, including the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League and the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League.
Another major league team is on the way as the Oakland Athletics prepare to relocate to Las Vegas for the 2028 MLB season. The city has also seen tremendous success with the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association, who have won three championships since moving to the city in 2018. An NBA team would further cement Las Vegas as one of the most important sports hubs in the United States.
Seattle’s Long-Awaited Return
Meanwhile, Seattle has been waiting nearly two decades for the return of professional basketball. The city lost the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008 when the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma City Thunder. At the center of the dispute was the aging KeyArena facility. Since then, the arena has undergone a major renovation and reopened in 2021 as Climate Pledge Arena. The venue now hosts the Seattle Kraken and the Seattle Storm, making it a ready-made home for a returning NBA franchise.
Franchise Values Skyrocketing
The timing of expansion coincides with unprecedented growth in NBA franchise valuations.
Recent sales across the league illustrate how dramatically team values have surged:
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The Phoenix Suns sold for $4 billion in 2022.
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The Boston Celtics were purchased for $6.1 billion in 2025.
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The Los Angeles Lakers set a new record with a $10 billion sale.
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The Portland Trail Blazers were sold for $4.25 billion.
With those numbers rising, expansion fees in the $7–$10 billion range appear increasingly realistic.
Conference Realignment Ahead
Adding two Western Conference teams would require conference realignment. League executives expect either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to shift to the Eastern Conference to maintain 16 teams per conference.
At the same time the NBA explores domestic expansion, the league is also moving forward with plans for a European basketball league. Final bids for prospective European teams are expected by March 31, signaling the league’s continued push into global markets. Commissioner Adam Silver previously indicated the NBA intends to decide in 2026 whether expansion will officially move forward. If the upcoming vote succeeds, the return of NBA basketball to Seattle and the arrival of the league in Las Vegas could finally become reality.
