NBA expansion slows as owners focus on media windfall

Jul 15, 2025 6:40 PM

The NBA’s anticipated expansion beyond its current 30 teams is hitting resistance from league owners, who are increasingly hesitant to move forward quickly.

According to several high-level team executives, owners are more focused on reaping the financial rewards from the league’s newly signed $76 billion media rights deal than welcoming new franchises. Seattle remains the top target, but enthusiasm among ownership groups has cooled.

Much of the hesitation stems from the upcoming 10-year broadcast agreement, which kicks off next season and involves NBC, Peacock, Amazon Prime, ABC, and ESPN. With hundreds of millions in new revenue expected per team, several governors are wary of diluting their shares by expanding.

“There are people who are, I wouldn’t say rethinking, but asking why we need to move as quickly as we expected,” one senior team executive told The Athletic.

While expansion remains a long-term expectation, the same source noted that current support lacks urgency: “There is not currently overwhelming momentum.”

Money First, Expansion Later

Commissioner Adam Silver has recently struck a more cautious tone on the league’s expansion timetable. He’s pointed to the league’s current focus on high-profile ownership transitions – most notably the potential sales of the Celtics and Lakers – as a reason for the pause.

The collapse of regional sports networks over the past few seasons caused teams to miss out on substantial local revenue, making the new national media contract even more vital. Adding teams now would mean dividing that windfall among more stakeholders.

“They want to see how the new TV money plays out next year,” said another senior executive, emphasizing the wait-and-see approach that’s taken hold among ownership circles.

Seattle, Vegas Still Lead Candidates

Despite the slowdown, two cities continue to top the NBA’s expansion list. Seattle, still seen as the leading candidate since the SuperSonics left for Oklahoma City in 2008, boasts a ready-made arena in Climate Pledge Arena, built to NBA standards and already home to the NHL’s Kraken.

Las Vegas remains in strong contention as well, particularly after Oak View Group revealed plans for a privately financed $1 billion arena.

Should expansion proceed, new ownership groups may face a price tag of $5–6 billion per team, a figure that reflects both market value and the league’s desire to offset potential revenue dilution.

During the NBA Finals in June, Silver acknowledged that expansion is ultimately about “selling equity in the league,” and said the timing will depend on “ownership’s perspective of the NBA’s future growth potential.”