NBA Commish Says Private Groups Bidding For Expansion Teams In Las Vegas, Seattle Besides Public Bidders (But He’s Not Saying Who They Are)
By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The NBA’s top executive said there are some private ownership groups bidding for potential expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, but did not name the bidders.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Tuesday evening offered few new details on a new possible new NBA team in the Las Vegas market, where Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley, former Phoenix Suns owner/USA Basketball chief Jerry Colangelo and a developer of the proposed Diamond Arena are contending to start a new franchise.
Silver did not talk much about the Las Vegas market, answering about 16 questions during his 35-minute presser that began at 7:05 PM in the Strip View meeting room at the Thomas & Mack Center during Day 6 of the 11-day NBA Summer League. He noted the Summer League is doing well after more than two decades in Las Vegas, projecting to set attendance and social media records.
Silver responded to questions about gambling, the Kawhi Leonard trade/investigation, the Portland owner arena issue, labor topics and NBA plans to expand to Europe for a new league.
Silver praised Las Vegas for its “entertainment hub” status and repeated his annual line about the NBA Summer League being the league’s 31st team and serving as basketball’s “winter meetings.”
Silver praised the league’s competition level, citing eight champs in eight years — Knicks in 2026, OKC in 2025, Celtics in 2024, Nuggets in 2023, Golden State in 2022, Bucks in 2021, LA Lakers in 2020 and Toronto in 2019.
He also cited the surging popularity in sports, getting philosophical about sports occupying more “mind share” and creating the urge for fans to be more “communal” at an increasing number of “watch parties.”
PSA
