Breaking News! NBA to Vote on Expansion of Two Teams, Bid Price Between $70 Billion and $100 Billion

Beijing time March 16, according to ESPN sources, the NBA will hold a board vote next week to formally discuss adding expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle. The two new teams are planned to officially begin competing in the 2028‑29 season.

According to informed sources, there is strong momentum within the board and league office supporting expansion, leaning toward approving the bidding process for Las Vegas and Seattle teams.

Industry executives estimate the bidding price for each new team will fall within the range of $70 billion to $100 billion, and predict both markets will rank among the NBA's top eight in revenue in the future. The market appeal of Las Vegas and Seattle, combined with a favorable collective bargaining agreement for league balance, is likely to trigger intense acquisition bidding for this expansion.

This is the first of multiple key steps in the NBA's expansion process.

This initial vote will allow the league to focus on Las Vegas and Seattle and initiate the team bidding process.

A final vote may take place later this year to formally approve expanding the league to 32 teams.

Both rounds of voting require approval from at least 23 of the 30 owners.

It is reported that increasing numbers of team owners support expansion because the Las Vegas and Seattle markets will bring long-term revenue growth to the league.

However, some owners are cautious about dilution—their team share will drop from 1/30 to 1/32—and wish to see final valuations and specific expansion fees before deciding on "expansion now" versus "expansion in a few years."

The NHL has completed similar expansions in recent years:

Las Vegas Golden Knights (2017), Seattle Kraken (2021).

In the NFL, the Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020;

MLB's Athletics also plan to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028.

Las Vegas has had the WNBA's Aces since 2018, who have won three championships (2022, 2023, 2025) after relocation.

Seattle has had no NBA team since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder in 2008.

The SuperSonics played in the NBA from 1967‑2008, relocating due to a home arena lease dispute.

That arena was renovated from 2018‑2021, now named Climate Pledge Arena, and serves as the home for the NHL Kraken and the WNBA Storm.

League Commissioner Adam Silver stated on December 16 during the NBA Cup finals in Las Vegas that the NBA will decide whether to proceed with expansion within the calendar year 2026.

Over the past four years, NBA team valuations have soared dramatically:

In December 2022, the Suns were sold for a record $4 billion

In 2025, the Celtics were sold for $6.1 billion

The Lakers were sold for $10 billion, still the highest price for a U.S. professional sports team

The Trail Blazers were sold for $4.25 billion in August 2025

NBA executives generally anticipate that when Seattle and Las Vegas join the Western Conference,

the Timberwolves or Grizzlies might be moved to the Eastern Conference, creating 16 teams in each conference.

The NBA's last expansion was the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) in 2004.

Sources also stated that the NBA is simultaneously advancing plans for a European league, with final bids for interested teams due by March 31.