Las Vegas NBA Franchise on the Table as League Officials Eye Sin City Opportunities

Las Vegas could get its own basketball team as the NBA officials prepare to vote on adding new franchises to the league. The other city that could get a team is Seattle, with the vote set to take place later this month.

NBA to Add New Teams for the First Time in Decades

The NBA Board of Governors is preparing to consider the addition of new teams that could change the face of the game as players know it. Under a new proposal, the NBA could add franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle, expanding the league for the first time in decades.

The decision will be made at the upcoming NBA Board of Governors meeting on March 24-25. Adding a new franchise would need yes votes from at least 23 of the 30 team owners. While adding teams both in Las Vegas and Seattle would keep things symmetrical, officials emphasized that it is possible that they would greenlight only one of the two new franchises.

If approved, the new teams will be integrated into the NBA for the 2028-2029 season. The initial approval would mean that the league would start accepting bids, which experts say could reach up to $10 billion. After that, a second vote would finalize the expansion.

Las Vegas Expands Its Reputation as a Sports Hub

Despite its traditional association with casinos, Las Vegas, in particular, has been rapidly cementing itself as a major sports hub. Sin City currently hosts the WNBA’s Aces, which are one of the strongest teams in the league.

Previous years saw the addition of the Golden Knights to the NHL and the Raiders to the NFL. The MLB’s Athletics, on the other hand, are preparing to move to Las Vegas in 2028, according to reports.

In addition to that, Las Vegas has become the host of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which has quickly become a major addition to the motorsports calendar.