The National Basketball Association’s Board of Governors approved an effort to formally pursue expanding the league to Las Vegas and Seattle during its March 25 meeting.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league has brought on PJT Partners to help consider the prospective markets, ownership groups, arenas and economic impact.
Notably, this does not confirm new teams are coming; however, it is a significant step toward making the expansion a reality. Las Vegas is already the site of the NBA’s yearly Summer League.
The expansion will incur an expansion fee, which is estimated at more than $6B. The earliest the new teams would officially join the league would be the 2028-2029 season. Upon their arrival, one team from the Western Conference will pivot to the Eastern Conference.
Potential Locations
A new team would call for a new place to call home. The first potential option is renovating T-Mobile Arena, where the Golden Knights currently play, to accommodate both teams.
LVXP also proposed a 26.3-acre mixed-use proposal at 2601 Las Vegas Blvd. South in Winchester, just north of Fontainebleau Las Vegas. In addition to a basketball arena, this project would contain a resort hotel, multifamily dwellings, a theater, a convention area and a podium building, among other elements.
This proposal calls for an 18,000-seat arena totaling 701.5KSF. The arena would be constructed at the NWC of the site. (Nov. 18, 2024; March 23)
Oak View Group has also thrown its hat in the ring with its own site at Las Vegas Blvd. South and Blue Diamond Road. This site sits immediately next to the planned Brightline West station.
As things proceed, and as NBA officials continue to search for a location, new locations may arise.
