Following anticipation at the March board meetings, the NBA board of governors unanimously approved on March 25 a measure to begin accepting bids for new franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, with expansion fees projected at $7-10 billion. Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the markets' strong basketball support, targeting a 2028-29 debut.
In a statement, Silver said, 'Today's vote reflects our board's interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle—two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball. We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.' This approval, building on previews from earlier reports, opens the door for bids from ownership groups, potentially including Magic Johnson and Billy Foley (Vegas Golden Knights owner) in Las Vegas. Sources indicate expansion is a matter of 'when, not if.' Seattle could revive the SuperSonics name and history from a 2008 settlement. Both cities have arenas ready. A final vote requiring 23 of 30 governors' approval is expected later this year, alongside conference realignment discussions.
