NBA expansion, return of SuperSonics keeps getting closer

March 25, 2026

The NBA has officially taken a step toward expansion.

The league’s Board of Governors has approved a plan to explore adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas formally, commissioner Adam Silver announced.

This does not mean expansion is finalized. But it does move the process forward in a meaningful way.

The vote allows the league to begin evaluating potential ownership groups, arena situations, and the overall economics tied to adding two new franchises. The NBA has also retained investment firm PJT Partners to assist in that process.

“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,” Silver said. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”

Momentum toward expansion has been building for several years, with league officials widely viewing it as a matter of when, not if.

Expansion fees are expected to land in the range of $7 billion to $10 billion per team, which would result in significant payouts for current ownership groups.

Seattle and Las Vegas have long been viewed as the leading candidates.

Seattle has been without a team since the SuperSonics relocated in 2008, but the market remains strong and Climate Pledge Arena is already in place. Las Vegas, meanwhile, has become a central hub for league events, including Summer League and the NBA Cup.

If the process moves forward, expansion teams could begin play as early as the 2028-29 season.