NBA Expansion: Silver confirms plans for Las Vegas and Seattle
The NBA continues to move forward with its expansion plans. Adam Silver confirmed that Las Vegas and Seattle remain the leading candidates to host the league’s two new franchises, with the process progressing as expected
It wasn’t just the Kawhi Leonard investigation on the agenda. During the Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas, Commissioner Adam Silver also addressed two of the NBA’s biggest long-term topics: the second apron and the league’s expansion plans.
Silver defends the second apron
In recent days, NBPA Executive Director David Kelly called for the restrictions tied to the second apron to be eased, arguing that they place too heavy a burden on teams with the league’s highest payrolls.
NBPA president Fred VanVleet also said that dissatisfaction with the system introduced under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement has been growing among players, executives, and agents.
Silver, however, said he remains pleased with the results.
I think the system is working incredibly well
Adam Silver
According to the commissioner, the goal was to create greater competitive balance and allow smaller-market teams to legitimately compete for a championship.
We wanted to eliminate the idea that only a handful of major markets could truly compete for a championship
Adam Silver
Silver did acknowledge that the issue could be revisited during the next round of negotiations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and the players’ union.
NBA Expansion: Las Vegas and Seattle remain the favorites
The commissioner also provided an update on the NBA expansion process, confirming that several ownership groups are currently submitting proposals to secure one of the league’s two expansion franchises.
Among the candidate cities, Las Vegas and Seattle remain the clear frontrunners, as previously identified by the league.
It’s music to my ears. There are still several steps to complete, but I’m optimistic about the future
Adam Silver
The proposals include details on ownership groups as well as plans for the teams’ future arenas.
According to Silver, the selection of the new ownership groups is expected to be finalized by the end of 2026, keeping the league on track for the two expansion teams to begin play in the 2028-29 NBA season.
The Board of Governors also appointed a new chairman during the meeting. Micky Arison, owner of the Miami Heat, will succeed Larry Tanenbaum of the Toronto Raptors in September.