NBA Owners Reportedly Divided Over Expansion Plans

Bill Simmons claims a "Dolan coalition" opposes adding new teams to the league.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:54pm

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According to media personality Bill Simmons, there is a contingent of NBA owners, led by New York Knicks owner James Dolan, who are against the league's plans to expand to 32 teams. Simmons claims the owners are concerned about diluting the existing media rights deals and revenue sharing. The expansion vote is set to take place at next week's NBA Board of Governors meeting.

Why it matters

NBA expansion has been a topic of discussion for years, with Las Vegas and Seattle often cited as potential new markets. However, Simmons' report suggests there may be significant opposition from certain owners who are wary of the financial implications of adding two new franchises.

The details

Simmons revealed on his podcast that a "Dolan coalition" of owners, which may include Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, are against the expansion plans. The owners are reportedly concerned about having to share their existing media rights deals and revenue with the new teams, potentially diluting their own shares.

  • The NBA expansion vote is scheduled to take place at next week's Board of Governors meeting.

The players

James Dolan

The owner of the New York Knicks, who Simmons claims is leading a coalition of owners opposed to NBA expansion.

Mat Ishbia

The recently-appointed owner of the Phoenix Suns, who Simmons suggests may also be part of the group against expansion.

Bill Simmons

A prominent media personality who hosts The Bill Simmons Podcast, where he discussed the reported division among NBA owners over expansion.

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What they’re saying

“There's a Dolan coalition, and I think Ishbia is in there too and a couple others that are why are we doing this? I would rather have my one-thirtieth media share.”

— Bill Simmons, Podcast Host

What’s next

The NBA Board of Governors is set to vote on expansion at their meeting next week, which will determine whether the league moves forward with plans to add two new teams.

The takeaway

The potential expansion of the NBA has been a topic of discussion for years, but Simmons' report suggests there may be significant opposition from certain owners who are concerned about the financial implications of adding new franchises. The upcoming Board of Governors vote will be a crucial moment in determining the future direction of the league.