The NBA Board of Governors gathered in Las Vegas on Tuesday in what was expected to be a significant step toward the league’s long-anticipated expansion. For the first time in recent memory, the topic of growing the league beyond its current 30 franchises was officially brought to the table. However, according to a report from The Athletic, there appears to be little momentum or enthusiasm among the NBA’s team owners for adding new teams at this time.
The NBA hаѕ nоt undеrgоnе expansion іn оvеr two dесаdеѕ. Thе Chаrlоttе Bоbсаtѕ—nоw known once аgаіn аѕ the Hоrnеtѕ—wеrе the lаѕt franchise to bе introduced, joining the lеаguе in 2004 аѕ thе 30th tеаm. While the Board authorized league officials to begin an in-depth analysis of potential expansion opportunities during Tuesday’s (July 15) session, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized that there is no established timeline for any concrete changes.
“This is a meaningful step,” Silver said. “We’ve begun a serious internal analysis, which is something we weren’t prepared to do in the past. But that said, this is just the first day of a long process. Talking about potential markets, team valuations, and possible timelines—those are still premature at this stage. This is a very complex issue.”
Owners Prioritize Media Revenue Over Expansion
At the heart of the hesitation lies a massive financial incentive. Several team owners reportedly prefer to first secure and begin distributing revenue from the league’s upcoming blockbuster media rights deal—valued at approximately $76 billion over 10 years—before welcoming new franchises that would be entitled to a slice of the earnings pie.
“There was no sense in the room that anyone was pushing in one direction,” Silver clarified. “There was no vote taken, no poll conducted. No one was asked to state their support or opposition to expansion.”
This reserved stance highlights the caution being exercised by league stakeholders as they weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of growing the NBA’s footprint. While expansion could open doors to untapped fanbases and cities hungry for basketball, it also introduces financial and logistical challenges that existing owners are hesitant to embrace without careful scrutiny.
The European Dream: An NBA-Backed League Abroad?
Interestingly, The Athletic also reported that Commissioner Silver has softened his position on a long-discussed concept: an NBA-affiliated European league. While no concrete plans were confirmed, the Board of Governors recently received a presentation on launching a standalone European basketball league backed by the NBA.
Silver hinted that such a project wouldn’t necessarily be part of the NBA’s expansion per se, but rather a parallel effort—yet one that would still involve the creation of new professional teams overseas. He acknowledged, however, that concerns about dilution of talent remain a major stumbling block.
“There’s another form of expansion to consider—Europe,” Silver said. “This would be an independently operated league in Europe, but yes, it would involve the formation of new basketball teams. That alone creates its own set of challenges.”
Local Broadcasting and Market Stability Still Unresolved
Another major factor influencing the league’s hesitance is the uncertain future of local and regional broadcasting. With traditional viewership models evolving rapidly and some local markets experiencing steep declines in ratings, NBA leadership is wary of stretching its resources before stabilizing its existing media ecosystem.
“We would be irresponsible not to consider how local and regional television rights are going to function before we move forward with expansion,” Silver warned.
These market challenges have slowed progress on expansion plans that were once projected to materialize within two to three years. Ongoing ownership transitions in legacy franchises—such as the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers—have further contributed to the delay.
Seattle Remains a Strong Favorite for Future Franchise
Despite the current lack оf urgеnсу, оnе city consistently еmеrgеѕ in dіѕсuѕѕіоnѕ about роtеntіаl еxраnѕіоn: Sеаttlе. The city has long been viewed as the frontrunner for an NBA return, especially following the relocation of the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City in 2008. Many believe Seattle is a lock to receive a new team whenever the next round of expansion does take place.
While the NBA is not in a rush to grow beyond 30 teams, the groundwork is slowly being laid. With billion-dollar media deals on the horizon, overseas opportunities in the pipeline, and iconic cities like Seattle patiently waiting in the wings, the league’s future may still include expansion—just not anytime soon.
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