A potential Las Vegas NBA expansion franchise remains highly anticipated, but the league held no vote during its latest meetings. Speaking to reporters after the meetings in July 2026, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed strong optimism about bringing a team to Southern Nevada. Although no official ballot was cast this week, Silver highlighted the league’s deep relationship with the city.
This connection is underscored by the high-profile Las Vegas NBA Summer League, which has been hosted in the market since 2004. Silver noted that intense interest from potential ownership groups is encouraging, and he expects a clear resolution by the end of this year. Earlier in March, NBA owners voted unanimously to explore a Las Vegas NBA team alongside a potential franchise in Seattle. If approved, the expansion fee for each new team is projected to reach between 7 billion dollars and 10 billion dollars, placing them at the absolute peak of sports franchise values. By comparison, the Los Angeles Lakers sold for a record 10 billion dollars last year.
Delaying the vote increases pressure on the league’s planned timeline, which targets a 2028 debut for new teams. A major focus is finding a suitable arena. Currently, T-Mobile Arena is the only local venue that hosts official league games, including the semifinals and finals of the annual NBA Cup. The arena is co-owned by MGM Resorts, Barry Diller’s IAC, and Bill Foley, who also owns the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. MGM chief executive officer Bill Hornbuckle confirmed that T-Mobile Arena remains central to short-term and long-term planning discussions. However, the stadium would likely require upgrades to accommodate a full-time franchise. Foley has offered to finance up to 400 million dollars in renovations as part of his own bidding group.
Several high-profile figures are preparing bids for a Las Vegas NBA franchise. Known interested parties include Foley, former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, basketball icon Magic Johnson, and former Disney chief executive officer Bob Iger. Silver indicated that several other very serious groups are quietly presenting plans to league bankers, detailing their ownership structures and arena visions. Recent history suggests any new franchise would be highly profitable, as other local major league teams have seen their valuations surge dramatically in recent years.