In a significant development for basketball fans across North America, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has dropped the strongest hint yet that league expansion is firmly on the horizon, with Portland emerging as a prime candidate alongside the long-awaited return to Seattle.
The Expansion Frontrunners
During a recent media appearance, Silver confirmed what many have speculated for months. "We will be looking at expansion," he stated unequivocally, before specifically naming cities. "Portland is a great market. We're going to look at Seattle."
This represents the most explicit confirmation from the league office about potential expansion locations, moving beyond vague speculation to named targets that have strong basketball pedigrees and market potential.
No Relocation for Existing Franchises
In equally important news for fans of established teams, Silver firmly shut down any immediate relocation possibilities for franchises that have been subject to relocation rumours.
"We are not travelling down the path of leaving any of our existing markets behind," Silver emphasised, specifically mentioning Miami, New York, and Boston as cities where teams would remain despite various challenges.
This reassurance comes amid ongoing arena issues and ownership situations in several markets that had sparked concern among local fanbases.
The Expansion Timeline and Process
While Silver confirmed expansion is in the league's future, he stopped short of providing a specific timeline. The commissioner indicated that the league's current focus remains on finalising its media rights deals, after which expansion will move to the forefront.
The potential expansion fee for new franchises is expected to be substantial, likely exceeding $2 billion given the league's growing valuation and lucrative television contracts.
What This Means for Basketball
- Pacific Northwest Renaissance: The addition of Portland and Seattle would create a powerful Pacific Northwest division rivaly
- League Growth: Expansion would mark the first addition of new teams since the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) joined in 2004
- Player Opportunities: More teams means additional roster spots and coaching opportunities throughout the league
- Economic Impact: New franchises would bring significant economic benefits to host cities through job creation and arena development
While the wheels of NBA expansion turn slowly, Commissioner Silver's comments represent the clearest signal yet that change is coming to the league's geographical landscape, potentially bringing professional basketball back to Seattle and adding a second team in the basketball-crazy Portland market.
