There is an NBA board of governors meeting in Las Vegas next month, and commissioner Adam Silver thinks it’s likely that those owners will decide at that time whether or not to take the next official step toward expanding the league in the coming years.
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Officially exploring the notion of adding teams seems likely.
“It will be on the agenda to take the temperature of the room,” Silver said. “We have committees that are already talking about it, but my sense is at that meeting they’re going to give direction to me and my colleagues at the league office that we should continue to explore.”
That does not mean it will definitely happen, even though there are certain markets — Seattle and Las Vegas among them — that are known to want NBA teams. Seattle has been waiting for a new franchise since the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder in 2008.
“I’d say the current sense is we should be exploring it,” Silver said. “I don’t think it’s automatic.”
Silver said he and the league office have gotten numerous calls from groups about potential expansion, with the standard response — until now — being that the NBA appreciates the interest but isn’t ready for any real talks.
That’s what will likely change, with the plan — if the owners give the go-ahead — set to include engagement with outside advisors evaluating market opportunities, media opportunities and other factors.
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