The NBA’s expansion plans just took a “small step forward,” according to reports, with the league’s Board of Governors set to finally address potential domestic expansion into Seattle and Las Vegas at their fall meeting, kicking off Monday in New York City. This isn’t some backroom chatter anymore; the return of basketball to the Emerald City is on the official agenda, and every fan who bleeds green and blue is on edge.
Not a Done Deal Yet, But The Conversation Is Real
Look, before you start planning the parade route, The Athletic’s David Aldridge and Joe Vardon reported that it’s “unlikely” the board will vote on Seattle or Las Vegas expansion right now. Nothing official is “imminent” on that front, and that’s the frustrating part, right? The league is still weighing a ton of crucial factors, and they aren’t rushing this. We’re talking about potential ownership candidates, making sure the basketball-related infrastructure is locked down, and then considering the wider repercussions of adding up to two whole new teams. It’s a massive decision, and while we’re hungry for an immediate announcement, they’ve got to get every detail right. But let’s be real, the sheer fact that it’s even being discussed at the highest level? That’s progress we haven’t seen in a long, long time, and it signals something is truly happening.
Europe’s Impact and What It Means for Our Timeline
Beyond our domestic dreams, the Board of Governors is also digging into a proposed NBA Europe deal. This European venture is apparently “far from his final form,” but it’s shaping up to be a big, complex beast. We’re talking about a proposed 16-team league over there, including 12 permanent members, with bids for those teams running from a staggering $500 million to as much as $1 billion *per team*. That’s mind-boggling cash! Plus, there’s the EuroLeague, whose owners are meeting in October to figure out if they’ll partner up with the NBA or just stay independent and become direct competition. Commissioner Adam Silver himself has set a goal of opening play in Europe by the 2027-28 season. Why does this whole international puzzle matter for us? Because if nothing else, this entire Board of Governors meeting, with all its moving parts, could help solidify a clearer timeline for expansion overall. A clearer timeline, especially for domestic expansion like ours, is exactly what the 12s in the Emerald City are desperate for right now.
So, while we won’t be hearing any celebratory votes this week, the sheer fact that Seattle’s name is being spoken in the same breath as “expansion” at the NBA’s highest table is huge. We need more than just talk; we need a date, a plan. We’ll be watching every single update, because the Emerald City is ready to welcome basketball back home.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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