NBA Expansion: What Cities are Favorites to Land a Team?

Article By Larry Henry

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Larry Henry is a veteran print and broadcast reporter and editor who has been a political editor at the Las Vegas Sun and managing editor at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Northwest Arkansas. Larry also has experience with media outlets in other states with gaming, including Tennessee and Louisiana.

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Last Updated: Mar 14^th, 2024

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has hinted the league might add two teams to the current 30. Silver recently said it “makes sense over time” to add teams, according to Forbes.

Two top contenders are Las Vegas and Seattle.

For years, major sports leagues shunned Las Vegas because of its affiliation with gambling, but that cloud has lifted, with legal casinos and sports betting now in existence around the nation. The NFL, NHL and WNBA have teams in the Las Vegas Valley, and Major League Baseball’s Oakland A’s are awaiting league approval before relocating to Southern Nevada. 

Derek Stevens, who operates Circa Resort and two other downtown Las Vegas casinos, says it’s only a matter of time before the city lands an NBA franchise.

Seattle had a successful NBA franchise, the Seattle SuperSonics, from 1967-2008 before the team moved to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder.

Seattle has long supported professional sports, including teams in the NFL and Major League Baseball. An NHL team, the Kraken, recently made its home in the city. 

Like Seattle, other cities in consideration for an expansion franchise previously had an NBA team. These cities include St. Louis, San Diego, Cincinnati and Kansas City.

Some long shots not included in the list of top contenders are Baltimore, Honolulu and Louisville.

Below are odds on top contenders:

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Top NBA Expansion Contenders 

The following are odds on which cities are likely to land an NBA expansion franchise. Factors used to determine the odds include:

• Likely civic support/funding
• Regional population/TV market size
• Proven enthusiastic fan base for major sports
• International expansion

Projected odds set by Gambling.com are not currently available at legal sports betting sites. This page will be updated should odds become available.

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Larry Henry is a veteran print and broadcast reporter and editor who has been a political editor at the Las Vegas Sun and managing editor at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Northwest Arkansas. Larry also has experience with media outlets in other states with gaming, including Tennessee and Louisiana.

Read Full Bio

Larry Henry

Last Updated:   Mar 14^th, 2024

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