NBA set to explore first team expansion in 21 years

• The NBA has not expanded since 2004, when the Charlotte Bobcats were installed as the NBA's 30th team
• Between 1988 and 1995, the league expanded into six new markets, including Canada
• Fees to enter the league are expected to reach up to US$6b

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has announced that team owners will discuss league expansion during next month's board of governors meeting in Las Vegas, potentially initiating the formal exploration of adding new franchises for the first time in over 20 years.

Speaking at his annual pre-Finals press conference before Game 1 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, Silver expressed his intention to "take the temperature of the room" regarding expansion and believes there's sufficient interest among ownership to advance the conversation.

"There's been no lack of interest," Silver stated. "I essentially have said to people from several different cities, 'We're just not engaging in that process right now.' I want to be fair to everyone."

The commissioner indicated that if owners agree to move forward, the league would begin a more structured approach, including formal meetings with interested cities and engaging outside advisers to evaluate markets, economic opportunities, and media potential.

The NBA hasn't welcomed a new franchise since 2004 when Charlotte returned to the league. That 21-year gap represents the longest period without expansion in modern NBA history, creating significant pent-up demand in several markets.

While Silver has previously mentioned the possibility of expansion in recent months, this marks the first time he's confirmed it will be a formal discussion point at an owners' meeting, signalling a potential shift in the league's approach.

Seattle and Las Vegas have emerged as frontrunners in the expansion conversation. Seattle has been without an NBA team since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, while Las Vegas has successfully hosted NBA Summer League and recently welcomed the WNBA's Aces and NFL's Raiders.

Financial Considerations Amid League Parity

Silver emphasised that expansion isn't guaranteed, noting that adding teams essentially means selling equity in the league—a significant financial decision that requires careful consideration.

"If you believe in the league, you don't necessarily want to add partners," Silver explained. "On the other hand, we recognise there are underserved markets in the United States and elsewhere—I think markets that deserve to have NBA teams."

The expansion fee for new franchises would likely set records, with industry analysts projecting figures potentially exceeding $5 billion per team. This would create a substantial windfall for existing owners, who would share the expansion fees.

Beyond the immediate financial benefit, the league must evaluate whether additional markets can sustain franchises long-term without diluting the overall product or talent pool. The commissioner acknowledged that even with expansion, the league couldn't accommodate all deserving markets.

In discussing the competitive landscape, Silver noted that this year's Finals will crown the seventh consecutive different champion, the longest such streak in NBA history. Both NBA finalists represent smaller markets that have built competitive teams through smart drafting and development.

When asked if this competitive parity was the intended result of recent collective bargaining agreement changes, Silver clarified that the goal wasn't necessarily to have different champions each year.

"The goal isn't necessarily to have a different champion every year," he said. "As we said, it's to have parity of opportunity. Hats off to Oklahoma City and Indianapolis, two incredibly well-run franchises, top to bottom, that deserve to be here."

Silver emphasised that the league focuses on creating fair processes for team building rather than predetermined outcomes. "What we're focused on is the process that goes into building the team, not the outcome. So the outcomes will be whatever they are."

This season's Finals matchup between the Thunder and Pacers exemplifies how well-managed organisations from smaller markets can achieve success within the current system.

While no specific timeline has been established, the July meeting represents the first concrete step toward what would likely be a multi-year process before new teams take the court.

If owners agree to formally explore expansion, the league would likely establish a committee to oversee the process, followed by:

1. Development of formal criteria for potential markets
2. Solicitation of bids from interested ownership groups
3. Evaluation of arena facilities and market viability
4. Negotiations regarding expansion fees and revenue sharing
5. Final selection of expansion cities and ownership groups

Based on previous expansion timelines, even if the process begins in earnest this summer, new teams would unlikely begin play before the 2027-28 season at the earliest.

All-Star Game Format Changes Coming

Silver confirmed that next year's All-Star Game in Los Angeles will likely shift to a new format inspired by the NHL's recent 4 Nations Face-Off, though specifics remain undecided.

"I don't think a straight-up USA versus World makes sense," Silver said, noting that international players comprise about 30 per cent of the league while American players make up 70 per cent. "That's not what they did in the NHL, either. There probably will be some different teams we form."

The commissioner suggested the new format could capitalise on national pride and international appeal. The timing is particularly significant as the 2026 All-Star Game will air on NBC during the Winter Olympics, creating opportunities for cross-promotion.

"We'll be smack in the middle of Winter Olympic competition on NBC," Silver explained. "Our All-Star Game, which will be in the afternoon instead of the evening next year, will be coming right out of Olympic competition, going back to Winter Olympic competition after the game."

This change represents the most significant alteration to the All-Star format since the league abandoned the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference matchup in 2018.

82-Game Schedule Stays

Silver firmly rejected the idea of reducing the NBA's 82-game regular season, citing both financial considerations and a lack of evidence that fewer games would reduce injuries.

"Money's part of it, there's no question about it," Silver acknowledged. "We're a business. Having said that, I don't really see the benefit to reducing the number of games."

The commissioner dismissed the common argument that a shorter schedule would lead to fewer player injuries, stating: "People used to say you should reduce the number of games because it will lead to a reduction in a number of injuries. We have absolutely no data to suggest that."

Silver pointed out that if the length of the season were causing more injuries, one would expect to see injury rates increase later in the season or during the playoffs, but league data doesn't support those assumptions.

‍