Story perspectives

NBA to Decide Seattle, Vegas Expansion by Year-End

7/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Commissioner Adam Silver said a Seattle-Las Vegas expansion decision is due by year-end, with teams slated for 2028-29.
The league expects an expansion fee of $7-$10 billion, with Seattle’s bid at $6 billion plus arena costs.
Seattle’s bid, led by owner Samantha Holloway, controls Climate Pledge Arena and hired JPMorgan Chase and Moelis.
Governors voted to consider Seattle and Las Vegas after groups led by Bill Foley and Jerry Colangelo began pursuing expansion.

History

Historical Context

After the NBA’s 1995 expansion that introduced the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies—each paying a record $125 million fee—the league grew to 30 teams by 2004. In 2026 the Board of Governors approved studies for new franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, where investors such as Samantha Holloway, Bill Foley and Jerry Colangelo are courting a $7-$10 billion expansion, echoing the earlier Canadian model.

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Story summary

Commissioner Adam Silver said a Seattle-Las Vegas expansion decision is due by year-end, with teams slated for 2028-29.
The league expects an expansion fee of $7-$10 billion, with Seattle’s bid at $6 billion plus arena costs.
Seattle’s bid, led by owner Samantha Holloway, controls Climate Pledge Arena and hired JPMorgan Chase and Moelis.
Governors voted to consider Seattle and Las Vegas after groups led by Bill Foley and Jerry Colangelo began pursuing expansion.

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