NBA Expansion: What Adam Silver’s Latest Comments Could Mean For League’s Future
May 18, 2025, 1:04 PM | Updated: May 19, 2025, 9:54 am
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
With the playoffs in full swing and draft season ramping up, talk of NBA expansion has flown somewhat under the radar.
Prospective cities have been locked in, but much of the basketball world may have overlooked recent developments in a nearly decade-old discussion.
Adam Silver says NBA expansion is inevitable and Seattle is no doubt on the table 👀 https://t.co/mQHrpDd8Nc pic.twitter.com/w60BELlARw
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 26, 2017
NBA Expansion Context: What You Need To Know
Since Adam Silver’s first years as commissioner of the NBA, he’s referred to expansion as “inevitable.” While short-term costs may outweigh immediate gains, the long-term upside is clear.
Expansion brings new markets, fanbases, merchandise sales, media contracts, and more.
With global interest and talent pools continuing to grow, adding two new franchises could create 30–60 jobs when including G League affiliates.
The plural of “teams” is intentional. The league would likely add two new franchises for scheduling symmetry and conference balance.
The NBA is discussing two expansion teams in the near future with an estimated price tag of $2.5 billion each.
With revenue down due to COVID-19, that would generate $166.7 million for each of the 30 existing teams. pic.twitter.com/VIbdyGq2fi
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 6, 2021
NBA expansion talk began gaining real traction in 2020, as the league reportedly explored the idea as a way to offset financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ultimately, that window closed without action. As Silver later noted, expansion is revisited periodically, but it’s not a front-burner topic every year.
In 2022, Silver laid out a checklist the league would need to complete before pursuing expansion: a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (completed in 2023), a media rights deal (finalized in 2024), and the sale of the Boston Celtics (announced and nearing completion).
With all three milestones either completed or nearly wrapped, Silver recently delivered his most definitive comments yet.
Adam Silver told @PatMcAfeeShow that NBA expansion talks plan to pick up soon.
Las Vegas and Seattle are heavy favorites.
“I don’t want to say it’s a foregone conclusion that we’re going to expand, but I also think over time, organizations tend to grow.”pic.twitter.com/JmOwP3pgID
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 18, 2025
Is NBA Expansion Upon Us?
There have been two notable updates in the process in the last month.
The first came on the Pat McAfee show in April. Silver, once again, said that expansion is inevitable, but also pointed out Seattle and Las Vegas as heavy favorites.
“We’re just beginning the process of exploring the opportunity to expand,” Silver said. “On the outside, it looks like a no-brainer. It seems like you’re printing money to expand. But you’re really selling equity in the league. We’re looking hard at it, and there’s no doubt that there’s been interest in Seattle and Las Vegas. We’re looking at those markets and others. As we get into the summer, we’ll get into a more formal process. I don’t want to say it’s a foregone conclusion.”
It is hard to tell whether it was genuine optimism or careful commissioner-speak, but Silver kept his cards close to his chest.
Silver’s next update was similarly measured, but for the first time, he attached a timeline.
“Expansion I think over time makes sense, as to precise timing I think we still need to work on that.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver talks to @TermineRadio, @Jumpshot8 & Ryan McDonough about the latest on expansion pic.twitter.com/qx6c6MKA4Q
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) May 13, 2025
“We have an NBA Board Meeting in July in Las Vegas,” Silver said. “(NBA Expansion) will be on the agenda to discuss with full ownership for the 30 teams. We will have that opportunity early this summer to talk to all of the different ownership groups in the NBA and get a sense. Expansion over time makes sense, (but) precise timing, we need to work on that.”
The Las Vegas Summer League will take place from July 10 to 20. The aforementioned Board of Governors meeting will take place during this period.
An official update could take many forms. The league could delay action, initiate the bidding process immediately, or announce plans to begin expansion preparations in the following offseason.
History Of Expansion In The NBA
In 1955, the NBA had just eight teams.
From 1966 to 1980, several expansion waves and the ABA-NBA merger raised the total to 23. Just before the 1990s, the Hornets, Heat, Magic, and Timberwolves joined. The Raptors and Grizzlies followed in the mid-’90s. The most recent addition was the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004.
No teams have been added in the last 20 years. However, relocation has continued: Vancouver to Memphis in 2001, Charlotte to New Orleans in 2002, and Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008.
