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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — An NBA team playing in Las Vegas moved closer to reality Wednesday when the league’s Board of Governors voted to officially explore expanding to the Las Vegas and Seattle markets.
Today’s green light was the latest step in the NBA’s timeline to add a new team in Las Vegas, which already hosts the annual NBA Summer League at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center and the NBA in-season tournament championship game at T-Mobile Arena.
“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle – two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a release statement. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”
The NBA could establish a team in Las Vegas for the 2028-29 season, which means the MLB Athletics would open their stadium on the Strip, the NCAA would hold its Final Four at Allegiant Stadium and the NBA team could make its debut at T-Mobile Arena all in 2028.
The NBA can make at least $7 billion per team in expansion bid fees, so expanding to 32 teams from 30 would be a lucrative windfall for team owners.
Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International, which built T-Mobile Arena with LA-based AEG in 2016, has been working to get an NBA team for Las Vegas for years.
MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle had this to say in his LinkedIn post: “Thanks to the NBA’s board of governors for voting to explore expansion into Las Vegas. It’s only the first step, but it’s a big step. A new team would be great for both locals and visitors, while creating jobs and providing a boost to the economy. 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.”
It would also mean Las Vegas would have major league teams in the NHL (Golden Knights, 2017), NFL (Raiders, 2020), MLB (A’s, 2028) and NBA (2028) — plus the WNBA Aces, which have won three championships since they began play at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena in 2018.
Las Vegas, in 2016, was the largest market without a major league team. By 2028, Las Vegas will be the smallest market with four major league franchises.
Driving the major league sports expansion in Las Vegas has been revenue-generating venues like T-Mobile Arena and Allegiant Stadium, which is managed by the Raiders.
The A’s ballpark is set to open in 2028. Thanks to Nevada state laws, the public contributed $750 million to help the Raiders build their stadium, while $380 million in public assistance is earmarked to help build the A’s stadium at the former Tropicana hotel-casino site at Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue.
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