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When does the NBA plan to expand the league?

MONews
3 Min Read

With the NBA Finals still underway, the offseason is upon us. 28 of the league’s 30 teams have already started their offseason. Boston and Dallas are still fighting for the 2024 NBA championship. Ahead of Game 2 on Sunday night, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sat down with NBC Sports Boston.

Silver was asked about the possibility of expansion in the NBA and where potential teams could be located. He couldn’t reveal any details, but Silver did mention how the NBA is working to see what moves are best for the league. Director Silver mentioned Seattle, Las Vegas and Mexico City.

When will the NBA expand the league beyond 30 teams?

Currently, 29 of the NBA’s 30 teams play in the United States. The Toronto Raptors are the only franchise not located in the United States. Which cities are best for future NBA expansion? Speaking with NBC Sports Boston, Adam Silver mentioned Seattle, Las Vegas and Mexico City. Seattle is clearly a fan favorite market. It was home to the SuperSonics before the team relocated and became the OKC Thunder. There is no doubt that Seattle would love to have a professional basketball team back in Washington.

There’s also Las Vegas, a no-brainer. Several expansion teams have also been added to other professional sports leagues. The NBA could follow their lead and create an expansion team in Nevada. Director Silver also mentioned Mexico City as a possible expansion destination. The NBA has played several games in Mexico City in the past. If an expansion team is created, Mexico City will be the second non-American team in the league to do so.

There will be no expansion this offseason and the league will need some time to make it happen. They are currently in advanced negotiations with NBC, ESPN, and Amazon for a new media rights package. Once everything is resolved, the league can begin doing more research on expansion cities and teams. To keep the league even, both cities will be assigned expansion teams. One is in the east and one is in the west.

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