NBA Owners Vote to Explore Adding Seattle and Las Vegas for 2028 Expansion

The NBA is preparing to explore expansion into Seattle and Las Vegas with a crucial Board of Governors vote scheduled for March 24–25, 2026, according to multiple sources.

“In December 2020, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league was taking a fresh look at the idea of expanding after nearly two decades”

ESPN

ESPN reports that the league is 'barreling toward the addition of two teams' with a vote to explore adding Seattle and Las Vegas franchises beginning with the 2028-29 season.

ESPN

Onda Cero confirms this timeline, noting that Seattle and Las Vegas are 'leading the race to become the league's 31st and 32nd franchises' with a 'decisive vote by the Board of Governors.'

nbamaniacs provides additional context, indicating the owners 'se reunirán próximamente para votar a favor de la expansión' and that while this initial vote isn't definitive, it represents a significant step forward with a second vote planned for late 2026.

The sources agree that both cities have emerged as the leading candidates after years of speculation and development around expansion concepts.

The economic incentives driving NBA expansion are substantial, with franchise entry fees expected to range between $7 billion and $10 billion per team according to ESPN and Onda Cero.

Sources project that these record-breaking fees, driven by the league's recent media boom and skyrocketing team valuations, could generate immediate financial windfalls for existing owners.

nbamaniacs

ESPN calculates that if both teams sell for a total of $15 billion, all 30 existing NBA owners would 'immediately receive a $500 million check,' representing 'a massive incentive to move forward with expansion now.'

Onda Cero corroborates these figures, noting that 'the realistic numbers the NBA could expect to pursue in expansion has risen along with it' and that 'sources project franchise entry fees between $7 billion and $10 billion per team.'

nbamaniacs adds that 'los propietarios están muy a favor de estos dos nuevos equipos, y se plantean ofertas entre los 7.000 y 10.000 millones de dólares por equipo,' emphasizing the significant commercial appeal of both markets.

The expansion process involves multiple steps and will create significant changes to league structure and player distribution.

“The NBA has widened its reach in recent decades, growing from 17 teams in 1966 to 30 today through strategic expansions that have turned the league into a global giant”

Onda Cero

Sources indicate that the Board of Governors vote on March 24-25 will specifically address exploring exclusive bids for Seattle and Las Vegas, requiring 23 of 30 votes in favor to proceed.

Onda Cero explains that the new teams will need to build their rosters 'from scratch' through an expansion draft similar to the 2004 process that created the Charlotte Bobcats and Memphis Grizzlies.

The new franchises would benefit from 'top picks in annual drafts for college talent or the G League, plus free agents and trades to balance the competition.'

nbamaniacs notes that the new collective bargaining agreement 'les favorece enormemente' (greatly favors them), while ESPN provides context that this entire expansion concept has been developing for years, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver first 'taking a fresh look at the idea of expanding after nearly two decades' back in December 2020.

The addition of Seattle and Las Vegas franchises is poised to have significant implications for both the NBA and international basketball talent markets.

Onda Cero warns that 'the expansion would spur a hunt for international talent, driving up NBA salaries and diminishing stars for the EuroLeague and national leagues such as the ACB.'

ESPN

The article specifically notes that 'Giants like Real Madrid or FC Barcelona could lose more prospects via the draft, while the new TV deal would boost European scouts.'

This international impact is compounded by the fact that 'the expansion would create new holes in a league that already has around 450 players, which could affect basketball talent on the old continent and could dilute the talent accumulated by some teams.'

nbamaniacs echoes this concern about talent dilution, while ESPN provides context about the league's growth trajectory, noting that 'the NBA has widened its reach in recent decades, growing from 17 teams in 1966 to 30 today through strategic expansions that have turned the league into a global giant.'

Both Seattle and Las Vegas offer compelling market characteristics that have made them the leading candidates for NBA expansion.

“Los propietarios de la NBA se reunirán próximamente para votar a favor de la expansión”

nbamaniacs

Seattle represents the possible resurrection of the beloved Seattle Supersonics franchise, which relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 and left a significant void in the city's basketball landscape.

nbamaniacs

nbamaniacs notes that 'Ambas ciudades poseen un gran atractivo comercial' (both cities possess great commercial appeal), highlighting their market potential.

ESPN provides additional context about the league's strategic approach, noting that 'for the past five years since he floated the concept, an entire industry around the idea has developed as great anticipation has built' since commissioner Adam Silver first raised the expansion possibility.

The convergence of these factors - strong commercial appeal, existing basketball infrastructure, and significant market demand - has positioned Seattle and Las Vegas as the clear frontrunners in what would be the NBA's largest expansion initiative since the addition of the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995.