Las Vegas Mayor Pitches Downtown Arena for NBA Expansion Team

Berkley hopes to convince league to consider city-owned site over Strip location

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:36pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a basketball arena or game, with sharp planes of deep purple, electric blue, and fiery orange hues creating a dynamic, energetic composition.The mayor's proposal for a downtown Las Vegas arena could provide the NBA with a compelling alternative to the Strip as it considers expansion.Las Vegas Today

Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley says she plans to pitch the NBA on a downtown arena as the potential home for an expansion franchise. Berkley believes the league is considering locations in unincorporated Clark County, which includes the Las Vegas Strip, but not within the city limits. She hopes to propose a 20-acre site near City Hall and the World Market Center as an alternative that is closer to a freeway and less congested than the Strip.

Why it matters

Las Vegas has long been considered a prime candidate for NBA expansion, given its growing population, tourism appeal, and existing sports franchises like the Vegas Golden Knights. Securing an NBA team would be a major coup for the city and provide a significant economic boost.

The details

Berkley says she will speak with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver via Zoom next week to present her proposal for a downtown arena. The site she has in mind is located across the street from City Hall and near the World Market Center, offering easy freeway access and less congestion than the Strip. MGM Resorts has also pitched the league on using T-Mobile Arena, home of the Golden Knights, as a potential NBA team's home venue.

  • Berkley plans to speak with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver next week.
  • The NBA announced last week it will move forward with exploring expansion bids for Las Vegas and Seattle.

The players

Shelley Berkley

The mayor of Las Vegas who is hoping to pitch the NBA on a downtown arena as the potential home for an expansion franchise.

Adam Silver

The commissioner of the NBA who Berkley plans to speak with about the city's arena proposal.

MGM Resorts

The company that owns T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights, and has pitched the venue as a potential NBA team's home.

Bill Hornbuckle

The CEO of MGM Resorts who stated the company's interest in working with the NBA to host an expansion team.

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What they’re saying

“We have an alternative, and I'd like to propose it to them to see if they would even come down and see it for themselves.”

— Shelley Berkley, Mayor of Las Vegas

“T-Mobile Arena was built for basketball and hockey. Our long-standing relationship with the League is a positive one that stretches back many years, and we would welcome the opportunity to work with the NBA on creating an unforgettable fan experience.”

— Bill Hornbuckle, CEO of MGM Resorts

What’s next

Berkley plans to speak with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver via Zoom next week to pitch the downtown arena proposal.

The takeaway

Las Vegas is making a strong push to land an NBA expansion team, with the mayor proposing a downtown arena site as an alternative to locations on the Strip. Securing an NBA franchise would be a major win for the city, providing an economic boost and cementing its status as a major professional sports destination.