Seattle’s NBA Dream Inches Closer to Reality with Upcoming Expansion Vote

The long-awaited return of professional basketball to the Pacific Northwest has taken a major leap forward. According to reports released on March 16, 2026, the NBA Board of Governors is scheduled to hold a pivotal vote later this month that could officially pave the way for expansion franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas.

A Two-Step Approval Process The upcoming vote, set for March 24–25, is the first formal hurdle in a multi-stage process. Rather than granting immediate franchises, this initial ballot will authorize the league to begin “exploring” expansion exclusively in these two markets. If approved, it will trigger a formal bidding process where interested ownership groups can submit proposals. A second, final vote would then occur later in 2026 to officially confirm the new teams.

Key Details of the Expansion Plan

• Launch Timeline: The league is targeting the 2028–2029 season for the two new teams to begin play.
• The Cost of Entry: Entry into the NBA is expected to be historic, with industry experts projecting that bids for each team could range between $7 billion and $10 billion.
• Voting Threshold: For the expansion to proceed, 23 out of the 30 current NBA team governors must vote in favor.

Why Seattle is Ready Seattle has been without an NBA team since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. Since then, the city has transformed its sports infrastructure. The primary home for a new team would be Climate Pledge Arena, which has already proven its worth as a top-tier venue for the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm.

League Alignment The addition of Seattle and Las Vegas would bring the NBA to 32 teams. To maintain balance, the league is expected to move one current Western Conference team—likely the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies—into the Eastern Conference, resulting in two 16-team conferences.

While there is still work to be done, the high projected valuations and strong civic support in both cities have created significant “momentum” within the league office, making the return of the SuperSonics look more likely than ever before.