Adam Silver recently provided an update on the NBA’s expansion plans during the league’s latest board of governors meeting.
The league signed an 11-year deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, valued at around $76 billion. This agreement, which begins in the 2025-26 season and runs through 2035-36, provides financial security for the league’s future growth.
Silver acknowledged that the NBA isn’t ready to finalize details on expansion just yet. He mentioned that although there wasn’t extensive discussion on the matter during the meeting, it remains a significant topic for the league.
“We’re not quite ready yet,” Silver said. He added that while the fall season is near, the NBA is still preparing before making specific decisions. He assured that the topic will be addressed during the upcoming season.
Expansion has been a highly anticipated subject, particularly with potential cities like Seattle and Las Vegas frequently mentioned as top candidates. However, Silver cautioned that the process of expansion is complex and involves various financial and logistical considerations.
One major aspect involves selling equity in the league, which impacts existing television relationships and league dynamics. Silver emphasized the importance of carefully navigating these factors to ensure that any potential expansion benefits the NBA and its stakeholders.
Although Silver didn’t confirm any markets or timeframes, he did acknowledge the ongoing interest from various parties, particularly from Seattle. Silver stated, “What we’ve told interested parties is thank you for your interest, we’ll be back to you. And that’s certainly the case in Seattle, as well.”
Seattle, a city with a strong basketball legacy, has been considered a leading contender for an expansion team. The Seattle SuperSonics, who relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, left a lasting impression on the city, and fans have long called for the NBA’s return.
Las Vegas is another prominent candidate. The city has already made a mark in professional sports with the arrival of the NFL’s Raiders and the NHL’s Golden Knights, and it is seen as a growing market for the NBA.
While no official timeline has been set, Silver has previously mentioned that the expansion process would likely begin after securing the new TV rights deal. Now that the agreement is in place, more concrete plans are expected to emerge soon.
