LAS VEGAS ([FOX5](http://fox5vegas.com/)) — The NBA has moved up its expansion vote to the Board of Governors meeting taking place next week in March, according to an ESPN report. This is accelerating a process that had been expected to unfold later this year.
FOX5 sports reporter Mariah Janos said the shift signals momentum among team owners.
“There’s been a lot of support amongst team owners to expand,” Janos said. “I feel like they just want to get things moving.”
**REPORTS:** [**NBA set for first expansion vote targeting Las Vegas, Seattle**](https://www.fox5vegas.com/2026/03/16/reports-nba-set-first-expansion-vote-targeting-las-vegas-seattle/)
The NBA will hold a vote at next week’s Board of Governors meeting to explore adding expansion teams to Las Vegas and Seattle, according to ESPN.
Only Las Vegas and Seattle in the running
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The expansion field is limited to two cities. Las Vegas and Seattle are the only candidates under consideration, and the league would add both teams simultaneously or none at all.
“It’s exclusively Las Vegas and Seattle — no one else,” Janos said. “So it’s either those two cities get a team, or nothing happens, and no one gets a team.”
Each franchise is expected to cost between $7 billion and $10 billion. Janos said the price tag, while significant, is not expected to be a barrier.
“Their pockets are deep in that league,” she said. “They have generated so much revenue. So it actually wouldn’t really be an issue, even though that is a stifling number to the average person.”
The vote requires 23 of 30 owner approvals to pass.
Target launch: 2028-29 season
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The league’s preferred start date for both franchises is the 2028-29 season. That year also marks the arrival of the Oakland Athletics’ new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip, as well as Allegiant Stadium hosting the NCAA Men’s Final Four.
Janos noted the timeline creates urgency around arena planning.
“I don’t see a stadium being built that quickly,” she said. “However, things do get built here rather fast.”
She suggested a potential arrangement with Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley to share T-Mobile Arena as an interim solution.
“There is room for both a hockey and NBA team in one building, at least to start things out while something gets built,” Janos said.
Vegas market seen as proven ground
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during his December visit to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup Championship that expansion was likely and that Las Vegas and Seattle were the two cities under consideration.
Janos pointed to the market’s track record with professional basketball.
“The NBA has been coming to Vegas for over 20 years,” she said. “The amount of crowds that show up for NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack — obviously, the Aces have done incredibly well. That season ticket package is sold out. There’s a wait list for it every single year.”
She added that Las Vegas is the last of the four major professional sports leagues to potentially land a team in the city.
“It’s surprising to me that it’s the last of the four major teams to get to this city,” Janos said. “But I know that it will be welcomed. I know it will be successful.”
Potential ownership names surface
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Several high-profile names have been linked to a potential Las Vegas ownership group. Magic Johnson and LeBron James have both expressed interest. James already holds a stake in the Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins. Shaquille O’Neal has also said he is interested in ownership.
“Whatever team comes here, if any of those guys are involved, it’s clearly going to be in good hands when you’ve got any of those legends at the helm,” Janos said.
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