The NBA expansion conversation has long simmered, but this summer it seems poised to move toward a full boil. According to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the league is prepared to turn up the heat on these discussions. Speaking ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Silver revealed that the league is seriously contemplating opening its doors to new cities.
“I’d say the current sense is we should be exploring it,” Silver stated. He highlighted the potential of expansion, though he emphasized it’s not automatic. “Expansion is selling equity in the league. If you truly believe in the league, adding partners isn’t always the immediate answer. Yet, we acknowledge the presence of underserved markets.”
The next pivotal moment in this exploration is set for a July owners' meeting in Las Vegas. Here, the temperature of the room regarding expansion will be gauged. Silver expects direction from this meeting to continue the exploration.
Silver mentioned, “The current sense is, we should be exploring it,” reinforcing that it will be a topic of discussion during the Board of Governors meeting. The notion of possibly expanding into European markets also surfaced during the conversation.
While Silver refrained from overselling the immediacy of the expansion process, he noted that formal talks with potential ownership groups would probably commence soon. “There’s been no lack of interest. I’ve received numerous unsolicited calls,” Silver admitted.
He insisted on keeping the playing field level, opting to wait until the league progresses into a formal exploration phase before having conversations with prospective cities and groups. The potential involvement of external advisors to evaluate market and economic opportunities was also cited.
Speculation within league circles indicates that the NBA's expansion will likely target Seattle and Las Vegas. The waiting period ensured the successful completion of a new collective bargaining agreement and television deal, providing the stability needed for expansion. Furthermore, the franchise value set by the Boston Celtics' sale, at $6 billion, and the anticipated sale of the Portland Trail Blazers, are pivotal in defining expansion fees.
As the owners convene in Las Vegas this summer, expect the NBA’s expansion efforts to gain momentum, with the goal of transitioning from a simmer to a rolling boil in the league’s growth plans.
