Las Vegas Residents Vote on NBA Expansion Team Nickname

Readers submit over 150 suggestions for new franchise name

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game broken down into overlapping angular shapes and planes in warm desert colors, conceptually representing the community's role in shaping the new team's identity.The public's input will shape the identity of Las Vegas' potential new NBA team, reflecting the city's unique culture and spirit.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Review-Journal asked readers to submit name ideas for a potential NBA expansion team in the city, receiving over 150 different suggestions and 300 emails in response. The newspaper is now allowing the public to vote on their favorite nickname options to represent the new Southern Nevada franchise.

Why it matters

As Las Vegas continues to grow as a major sports hub, with the Raiders, Golden Knights, and soon-to-be WNBA Aces, securing an NBA team would cement the city's status as a top-tier professional sports market. The name chosen will be an important part of establishing the team's identity and connection to the local community.

The details

The Review-Journal opened up submissions for potential NBA team names last week, receiving an overwhelming response from readers eager to have a say in branding the new franchise. Some of the most popular suggestions included the Las Vegas Aces, Las Vegas Rattlers, Las Vegas Scorpions, and Las Vegas Sidewinders, all aiming to capture the unique desert environment and culture of Southern Nevada.

  • The newspaper's call for name ideas was published on March 27, 2026.
  • The public voting period to select the final nickname will run from April 1-15, 2026.

The players

Las Vegas Review-Journal

A major daily newspaper serving the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which is spearheading the public contest to name the city's potential new NBA expansion team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We want a name that really captures the spirit and energy of Las Vegas. This is our chance to create something unique and meaningful for the city.”

— Cassandra Downs, Las Vegas Resident

What’s next

The Review-Journal will tally the public votes and announce the winning nickname for the Las Vegas NBA expansion team on April 20, 2026.

The takeaway

Engaging the local community to help name a new professional sports franchise is an effective way to build early excitement and a sense of ownership over the team's identity. The high level of reader participation shows how much Las Vegas residents care about bringing NBA basketball to their city.