NBA Expansion Looms, Raising Questions for the Chicago Bulls

The addition of two new teams could impact the Bulls' revenue, roster, and division rivals.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:35pm

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The NBA is set to vote on expanding the league by two teams, with Las Vegas and Seattle as the likely destinations. While this news may not come as a shock, it will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the league, including the Chicago Bulls. The Reinsdorfs could see their revenue share cut, but the long-term benefits of expansion could outweigh this. The expansion draft could also force the Bulls to leave a player unprotected, potentially impacting their roster flexibility. Additionally, the realignment of the Eastern Conference and Central Division could create new challenges for the Bulls as they try to regain relevancy in the league.

Why it matters

NBA expansion will change the competitive landscape of the league, potentially making it more difficult for the Chicago Bulls to reclaim their status as a contender. The Bulls have struggled to regain their footing in recent years, and the addition of two new teams vying for top talent could further complicate their path back to the playoffs and championship contention.

The details

According to ESPN, the NBA has informed all 30 teams that next week's Board of Governors meeting will involve a vote on the addition of two new franchises, with Las Vegas and Seattle as the specific cities under consideration. The new teams would be expected to be up and running by the start of the 2028-29 season. While the vote still needs to pass with 23 of the 30 owners approving, the league expects proposals for the new franchises to come in between $7-10 billion. The expansion would mean a change in revenue share for current owners, with the Reinsdorfs' share of the Bulls' revenue dropping from 1/30 to 1/32.

  • The NBA Board of Governors will vote on expansion next week.
  • The new expansion teams are expected to begin play in the 2028-29 season.

The players

Jerry Reinsdorf

The owner of the Chicago Bulls.

Arturas Karnisovas

The vice president of basketball operations for the Chicago Bulls.

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What’s next

The NBA Board of Governors will vote on expansion next week, with a 23-vote majority required to approve the addition of two new teams.

The takeaway

The potential expansion of the NBA could create new challenges for the Chicago Bulls as they try to regain their status as a contender. The changes to revenue sharing, roster flexibility, and division rivals could make it even harder for the Bulls to climb back to the top of the league.