Seattle and Las Vegas Vie for NBA Expansion Teams

League's Board of Governors to consider new franchises in long-awaited markets.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:04am

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The NBA's Board of Governors is meeting to discuss potential expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, two cities that have long been vying for new franchises. Seattle fans have waited nearly two decades for the return of the Sonics, while Las Vegas is also seen as a prime location for the league's next expansion.

Why it matters

NBA expansion would bring professional basketball back to Seattle after the Sonics left in 2008, satisfying a passionate fan base that has lobbied for the team's return. Las Vegas has also emerged as an attractive market for the NBA, with a growing population and sports-centric culture that could support a new franchise.

The details

The NBA's Board of Governors is meeting to discuss the possibility of adding new franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas. Both cities have been actively campaigning for expansion teams, with Seattle fans in particular eager to see the Sonics return after the team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. Las Vegas is also viewed as a prime location for the NBA's next expansion, given the city's growing population and sports-focused entertainment landscape.

  • The NBA's Board of Governors is meeting on March 24, 2026 to discuss potential expansion.

The players

NBA

The National Basketball Association, a professional men's basketball league in North America.

Seattle Sonics

A former NBA franchise that was based in Seattle, Washington and played in the league from 1967 to 2008 before relocating to Oklahoma City and becoming the Thunder.

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What’s next

The NBA's Board of Governors will make a decision on whether to approve expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas following their meeting on March 24, 2026.

The takeaway

The potential return of the Seattle Sonics and the addition of a new franchise in Las Vegas would mark significant milestones for the NBA, satisfying long-standing fan demands in those markets and further expanding the league's footprint across North America.