The NBA has moved a step closer to adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas after the league’s board of governors voted this week to explore bids and applicants exclusively for those two cities. The move begins the process for the league’s first expansion since 2004.
Bids for each new franchise are expected to range from $7bn to $10bn, reflecting the growing value of NBA teams. The league will evaluate bids over the next several months, with commissioner Adam Silver having previously identified this year as a target for a decision on expanding the 30-team league.
“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle – two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” Silver said in a statement on Wednesday. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”
The expansion would be the first since the Charlotte Bobcats joined the league in 2004. Seattle previously hosted the SuperSonics, who relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, while Las Vegas has hosted NBA Summer League games and has become a growing sports market.
