The NBA Commissioner stated that several additional parties are interested in owning an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas. However, they have not publicly disclosed their intentions.
Silver addressed the media on Tuesday night during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV in Las Vegas.
Silver was asked about the growing ownership interest in Las Vegas. This came after Hall of Famer Jerry Colangelo’s recent announcement and the proposal for the Las Vegas Jacks.
Silver’s Words
“In terms of the process that now for potential expansion here, multiple various serious groups are in the process of presenting plans to our bankers. Those plans not only include who the potential owners would be, but their vision for what Las Vegas basketball could look like. For example, they include where they would play and how they would present the game. And it’s music to my ears,” Silver said. He noted how the Entertainment and Sports Capital of the World bring interest and revenue to the game of basketball.
He said Las Vegas has become a hub for youth basketball in the country. This is not just because of big facilities but also many courts, trainers, and strong interest. The WNBA has also been very successful there.
Recently, several groups have shown strong interest. This includes Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley promising $300 million to upgrade T-Mobile Arena and the Las Vegas Diamond Arena developers buying the last piece of land for a possible NBA location. Other groups have kept their interest private.
Silver said some groups have made their interest public, but most have not. Additionally, many people in Las Vegas have chosen to keep their interest private.
In 2024, LVXP announced plans to develop the site at Sahara and Las Vegas Boulevard after the All-Net Arena did not meet the County’s construction goals. Several resorts and landowners have suggested sites for possible bids. Meanwhile, MGM supports T-Mobile Arena. Resorts World is looking into arena options on the North Strip.
This spring, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley proposed a site to attract interest to the city’s expanding Downtown area.
Several NBA alumni have reportedly expressed interest in franchise ownership, including LeBron James (who has since withdrawn), “Magic” Johnson, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Silver noted that a decision on expansion in Seattle and Las Vegas will be made by the end of the year. The NBA may choose not to expand or may expand in only one city.
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NBA Summer League Draws Enthusiastic Crowds as Las Vegas Anticipates Potential NBA Expansion
NBA Summer League Draws Enthusiastic Crowds as Las Vegas Anticipates Potential NBA Expansion
Eric Butler is a Contributor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on Instagram and X via @ReportandOpine
