ESPN: NBA to Consider Expansion for the 2027-28 Season – Las Vegas and Seattle as Potential Front-Runners

On September 18, ESPN reported that the NBA is considering expansion.

According to ESPN, although Commissioner Adam Silver has not provided a specific timeline, both sources and bidding teams believe that the NBA may start expanding in the 2027-28 season. While it’s not impossible for the expansion to begin next season, it is considered unrealistic.

The NBA is currently waiting for the results of the Boston Celtics’ team sale, as the sale price could set a new record in the league, which will affect the overall landscape of the NBA, hence the league has temporarily slowed down its expansion plans.

In addition, the article points out that expansion is an extremely lengthy process, and there is still a long way to go from deciding on expansion to its completion. Currently, Seattle and Las Vegas have been potential front-runners for some time, but the NBA does not necessarily have to choose them. The last time the NBA announced an expansion was in 2002, when the Charlotte Bobcats joined the league in October 2004.

The issue of expansion ultimately boils down to an economic question. The core issue is whether diluting the league’s revenue share (i.e., media rights) by introducing new teams is worth it.

Currently, all NBA teams own a 3.3% stake in the league and share billions of dollars in revenue accordingly. Dividing this among 32 teams might seem insignificant, but over several decades, it means a significant portion of income would be diluted.