NBA Sets Bidding Timelines and Billion-Dollar Fees for Las Vegas and Seattle Expansion
The NBA announced bidding deadlines for new franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle, with expansion fees projected between $7 billion and $10 billion.
After more than two decades since the last expansion, the NBA is moving forward with plans to add teams in Las Vegas and Seattle. The league has established a second bidding deadline for Las Vegas and a single deadline for Seattle, seeking franchise fees between $7 billion and $10 billion, with industry sources suggesting Las Vegas could command around $9 billion. Leading Las Vegas candidates are Bill Foley, owner of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, and Walmart scion Nancy Walton Laurie together with her husband Bill Laurie, with Magic Johnson also rumored to be interested.
Seattle’s only publicly identified bidder is Samantha Holloway, owner of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, though officials say additional interest exists. The NBA’s Board of Governors has already cleared the preliminary steps, and further owner meetings are scheduled for the coming month, with the league’s commissioner Adam Silver overseeing a careful rollout. If the process stays on track, the league could welcome two new clubs within the next few seasons.
Why it matters
Adding two teams could reshape the NBA’s market reach and revenue distribution.
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