NBA Eyes Seattle and Las Vegas as Next Expansion Cities

The NBA is seriously considering adding two new teams, with Seattle and Las Vegas leading the race. This news follows a recent vote by team owners to explore expansion opportunities. But how did Seattle get this far? Back in 2014, a Boston Celtics owner pushed for an NBA team in the city. Though nothing came of it then, the NHL later took advantage instead. Now, the daughter of that original advocate, Samantha Holloway, is at the forefront of bringing the NBA back to Seattle. Her family’s sports group is the only one publicly interested so far, but more could step up soon. The league hasn’t rushed this decision. Owners want to make sure any new team fits well and won’t hurt the league’s finances. Expansion fees could reach $10 billion per team, money that would be shared among existing owners. That’s a lot, but the NBA has grown massively—just last year, it signed a $77 billion media deal, meaning each team gets over $150 million yearly. Adding teams could shrink those payouts, so the league is being careful.What does Seattle need to prove? First, a solid arena is crucial. Climate Pledge Arena is already home to the NHL’s Kraken, but upgrades or a new venue might be needed. The team would also need a practice facility and a way to bring in revenue beyond ticket sales. The league will ask tough questions: Can this team make money? Will it rely too much on shared NBA earnings? And will fans show up in big enough numbers? Las Vegas could be another option, but its situation is trickier. No permanent NBA arena exists yet, and questions remain about where games would be played. Still, Vegas has a major advantage: a huge fanbase eager for sports, plus a city that loves entertainment. More bidders are expected there, which could drive up the expansion price. The NBA wants to avoid dragging this out, but with so many moving parts, a decision might not come until late 2026.