WASHINGTON (HUNS) — An NBA expansion is long overdue for longtime fans like Howard University student Grayson Francis, who looks forward to the league’s vote this week.
“The league is supposed to be a very selective association, but the game has grown tremendously over the years, and talent is only getting better and more skilled,” Francis said.
The NBA board of governors scheduled the first vote on a league expansion that would add two additional teams to the NBA.
The vote is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. If passed, the two teams would look to debut in the 2028-2029 season, sources tell ESPN. The NBA has not expanded since 2004, with the addition of the Charlotte Hornets.
Sources speculate that Las Vegas and Seattle would be the new locations for fans and players if the vote passes, but owners may hold off based on the price tag and potential revenue.
With an expanding G-League and more global prospects eyeing the NBA, this addition could give opportunities not only to these players but also to coaching and front office staff.
Francis believes that the time to expand is now.
“I am more than confident that there are more than 450 hoopers in the U.S. and Canada that are capable of competing with the best of the best,” he said. “This could be a great investment for the league as well.”
Seattle, home to one of the most passionate fan bases across sports, has been vying for a return to the NBA since the SuperSonics’ departure to Oklahoma City in 2008.
“The Seattle fan base always brings the energy, you can see it with the Mariners and the Seahawks,” said Jalen Denaro, a student sports analyst and podcast co-host.
NBA fans expressed joy at the potential of the SuperSonics return across social media when the meeting was announced.
Las Vegas’ large revenue potential makes it an easy choice for many owners with big names like Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Bill Foley, owner of the NHL team Las Vegas Kings, who have all expressed interest, along with multiple ownership groups, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Las Vegas has been the destination for teams across sports over the last decade. Since the Las Vegas Golden Knights’ addition to the NHL in 2017, the WNBA added the Las Vegas Aces, and the Oakland Raiders relocated there as well.
The Knights and Aces saw early success and huge revenue returns, leaving a clear blueprint for potential owners and investors.
Adam Silver, NBA League commissioner, spoke on the potential additions to the league.
“I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities,” he told reporters in December. “Obviously, we had a team in Seattle that had great success. We have a WNBA team here in Las Vegas, the Aces. I don’t have any doubt that Las Vegas … could support an NBA team.”
Most league execs are expected to favor the changes, prioritizing long-term revenue growth for the league. In contrast, others are hesitant to add two new pieces to the equity pie, taking their ownership share of the league from 1/30 to 1/32, sources told ESPN. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but when dealing in millions of dollars, the difference could be huge.
Let’s be clear; this week’s vote would not be the end-all, be-all, but it would get the ball rolling on making the expansion dream a reality. A second vote would have to be held to finalize the expansion. In each vote, 23 out of 30 governors must vote in favor of the new proposal.
But even then, there’s the concern of conference realignment.
Sources speculate that either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies would move from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference to balance out the new numbers.
Since 2000, the Western conference has had a winning record against the east 24 times in 26 seasons — a clear imbalance that could be addressed with this expansion.
Discussions are set to begin today, with voting taking place on Wednesday, and all eyes will be on the result as the 2026 season comes to a close.
Cole Edmonds is a sports reporter and editor for HUNewsService.com
