The National Basketball Association will expand to 32 teams with the addition of franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle, Commissioner Adam Silver announced at a press conference on Tuesday. The expansion, unanimously approved by the Board of Governors, marks the first time the league has added new teams since the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) joined in 2004.

The New Franchises

The Las Vegas franchise, backed by a consortium of investors including several prominent tech entrepreneurs, will play at a new $2.8 billion arena on the Las Vegas Strip. The Seattle franchise — widely expected since the city lost the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City in 2008 — will be owned by a group led by local business leaders and will initially play in a renovated Climate Pledge Arena.

"Today is a historic day for the NBA and for basketball fans in Las Vegas and Seattle," Silver said. "Both cities have demonstrated extraordinary passion for basketball and have the infrastructure and market size to support world-class franchises."

Financial Details

Each expansion franchise paid a record $4.5 billion entry fee, reflecting the league's surging valuations. The teams will participate in an expansion draft in 2027, with existing teams allowed to protect eight players each. Both new franchises will begin play in the 2027-28 season.

The expansion will necessitate a restructuring of the league's divisions and conferences, with details to be announced before the start of the 2027-28 season.