NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has given the league’s long‑awaited expansion plans a concrete timeline, naming Las Vegas and Seattle as front‑rank candidates.
Expansion Timeline
During the NBA Cup final between San Antonio and New York, Silver said the league is moving toward a decision on domestic expansion within the next year. He added that, “Not a secret, we’re looking at this market in Las Vegas. We are looking at Seattle.” The commissioner also emphasized that the league has examined other markets but wants to avoid the impression that it is teasing any city. Silver stated, “I’d say I want to be sensitive there about this notion that we’re somehow teasing these markets, because I know we’ve been talking about it for a while.”
He further explained that the NBA is currently working with its teams to gauge interest and assess the economics of a new franchise in each city. “I think now we’re in the process of working with our teams and gauging the level of interest and having a better understanding of what the economics would be on the ground for those particular teams and what a pro forma would look like for them, and then sometime in 2026 we’ll make a determination.”
Why Las Vegas and Seattle?
Silver highlighted the strengths of both markets. “I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities,” he said. He noted Seattle’s historical success with the SuperSonics and Las Vegas’ current presence in the WNBA with the Aces. “Obviously we had a team in Seattle that had great success. We have a WNBA team here in Las Vegas in the Aces. … I don’t have any doubt that Las Vegas, despite all of the other major league teams that are here now, the other entertainment properties, that this city could support an NBA team.”
The commissioner’s comments suggest that both cities possess the infrastructure, fan base, and financial backing needed to sustain an NBA franchise. The league’s ongoing analysis will determine whether the economic models for either city meet the NBA’s standards.
NBA Cup Venue Shifts
Silver also addressed the future of the NBA Cup’s final venue. He revealed that the title game of the tournament may move away from Las Vegas. “Some storied college arenas,” Silver said, “We’re looking at other ways we can do this.” The league is already shifting its format: semifinal games will be played at the No. 1 seed home sites starting next season, effectively removing the final‑four concept in Las Vegas for 2026.
Despite the change in venue, the NBA Cup has seen strong engagement. Saturday’s semifinals on Prime Video averaged 1.67 million viewers, a 14% increase over the previous season’s semifinals. The doubleheader featuring San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City and New York vs. Toronto saw a 126% year‑over‑year increase in social media views, with more than 400 million views across all platforms.
European League Plans
Silver hinted at upcoming news regarding the NBA’s collaboration with FIBA to launch a league in Europe. The league is slated to play regular‑season games in Berlin and London next month, featuring matchups between Orlando and Memphis. “I would say we’re casting a very, very wide net right now and essentially saying to anyone who’s interested, come see our bankers, explain to us why you’re interested, how you view the opportunity, what resources you would put behind opening a team, and then we’re taking all that information back,” Silver said. He added, “And then I think sometime in late January, or in January, we’ll be in a position to have more serious conversations with those interested parties.”
The NBA’s European initiative reflects its ambition to grow the sport globally while providing additional competitive opportunities for players and fans outside the United States.
Key Takeaways
- The NBA will decide on a 32‑team expansion by 2026, with Las Vegas and Seattle leading the shortlist.
- The NBA Cup final venue may shift from Las Vegas to other storied college arenas, while semifinals will move to No. 1 seed home sites.
- Prime Video’s first season as a league broadcast partner saw a 14% rise in viewership, and social media engagement jumped 126%.
- The league is exploring a European partnership with FIBA, with potential new teams discussed in January.
The league’s plans underscore its commitment to expanding the NBA’s footprint while adapting its tournament format and exploring international growth. Fans and city officials alike will be watching closely as the NBA moves closer to a definitive expansion decision.
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