Speculation regarding potential NBA expansion destinations has been circulating for some time, with Las Vegas frequently in the spotlight. However, the timeline for the league’s expansion remains uncertain.
On Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated that Las Vegas is “definitely on our list” — regarding cities that will be considered for expansion franchises. Silver emphasized that serious discussions about expansion will occur after the current media rights deal, valued at $24 billion over nine years, concludes. Until then, the focus remains on clarifying future media partnerships.
In a recent interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN, Silver reiterated the league’s stance, highlighting the importance of determining media relationships before turning attention to expansion.
“We want to figure out what our media relationships are going to look like, but then we will turn to expansion,” Silver said again Wednesday in the interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN.
Las Vegas boasts a thriving basketball scene, hosting the NBA’s primary summer league, a successful WNBA franchise with the Aces, and various high-profile events like All-Star Weekend and the inaugural In-season Tournament’s semifinals and final.
While Las Vegas garners considerable attention, other cities like Seattle, Mexico City, Nashville, Vancouver, and Montreal have also been mentioned as potential expansion candidates in recent discussions. Silver is expected to address these topics further during his annual All-Star Weekend news conference, providing insights into the league’s future plans.
