The NBA is expected to prioritize awarding an expansion franchise in Las Vegas before moving forward with a potential team in Seattle, according to ESPN.
League officials reportedly want to establish a record-setting expansion fee in Las Vegas that would serve as the benchmark for future expansion franchises. Interest in the Las Vegas market has significantly exceeded that of Seattle.
Although Bob Iger and Josh Kushner withdrew from the Las Vegas bidding process to instead purchase the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5 billion, several ownership groups remain in contention for the franchise.
However, a league source cautioned that an agreement is not guaranteed to be approved at the next NBA Board of Governors meeting.
“We’ll see what happens in September. If they took a vote today, it wouldn’t pass. It’s all about the fee price.”
Reports suggest the Las Vegas expansion fee could fall between $7.5 billion and $9 billion.
At the same time, commissioner Adam Silver and many NBA owners continue to view NBA Europe as an even higher strategic priority. The planned 16-team competition is scheduled to launch in October 2027, although the participating cities have yet to be finalized.
An Eastern Conference executive also pointed to the Lakers’ record sale as further evidence of the league’s financial strength.
“Any numbers like $12.5 billion for a team are good for NBA owners. The league continues to grow in value because the business is performing extremely well, and the product may be better than it’s ever been.”
Commenta
Visualizza commenti