Will Las Vegas Get an NBA Team? Inside the Expansion Race
The odds have never looked better for NBA basketball in Las Vegas. Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league expects to make a decision on expansion by the end of 2026 and the NBA is focused on two markets: Las Vegas and Seattle. Of the two, Las Vegas has drawn far more ownership interest, along with multiple competing arena proposals including a 10 billion dollar mega project. Here is where the NBA Las Vegas race stands, who is bidding, and what a team would mean for the city.
The NBA Expansion Race: Where Things Stand
After years of speculation, the process is finally moving. Silver has indicated a decision will come by the end of the 2026 calendar year, while cautioning that expansion is not guaranteed. The league is concentrating on Las Vegas and Seattle and with multiple groups chasing each market, expansion franchise valuations have been discussed as high as 10 billion dollars. Las Vegas has the deeper field of suitors, which is a big part of why it is considered a frontrunner.
Who Wants to Own an NBA Team in Las Vegas
The list of interested owners reads like a who’s who of sports and entertainment:
- The Las Vegas Jacks: a group led by former Suns executive Jerry Colangelo and Horizon Sports CEO David Levy, with Jay Williams and Vinny Del Negro involved, reportedly having raised 8 billion dollars.
- Bill Foley: the owner of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, who already proved a major league can thrive in the market.
- Bob Iger and Josh Kushner: the former Disney CEO alongside the venture capitalist.
- Marc Lasry and Magic Johnson: the former Bucks owner and the Hall of Famer, both linked to Vegas bids.
Starr Vegas and the Arena Bids
Where a team would play is its own contest. The most eye-catching proposal is Starr Vegas, a 10 billion dollar, 63-acre development announced in 2026 near Las Vegas Boulevard and Starr Avenue. Its plans include a 25,000-seat, NBA-ready arena, expandable to 30,000, designed to also host WNBA, hockey, and combat sports, plus a 50,000-seat soccer stadium and a 40-story broadcast and residential tower. Backed by developer Starr Vegas Development and roughly 6 billion dollars in secured financing, it is positioned squarely to house an expansion team and it is one of several sites in play.
What an NBA Team Would Mean for Vegas
An NBA franchise would slot into a city that has become a genuine sports capital, joining the Raiders, the Golden Knights, the WNBA’s Aces, the A’s on the way, and now a PWHL team. For fans and visitors, it would mean 40 plus home games a year on the Strip, marquee matchups, and another anchor for a sports-travel weekend. The demand is already proven; the question now is simply whether and where the NBA says yes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Vegas getting an NBA team?
It is a strong possibility. The NBA expects to decide on expansion by the end of 2026 and is focused on Las Vegas and Seattle, with Las Vegas drawing the most ownership interest.
When will the NBA announce expansion?
Commissioner Adam Silver has said a decision is expected by the end of the 2026 calendar year, though expansion is not guaranteed.
Who is bidding for an NBA team in Las Vegas?
Groups linked to Vegas include the Las Vegas Jacks (Jerry Colangelo and David Levy), Bill Foley, Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, Marc Lasry, and Magic Johnson.
What is Starr Vegas?
Starr Vegas is a proposed 10 billion dollar, 63-acre Strip development featuring a 25,000-seat NBA-ready arena and a 50,000-seat soccer stadium, positioned to attract an expansion team.
Las Vegas keeps adding pro teams and the NBA could be next. Whether you are coming for the Golden Knights, the Aces, or a future NBA opener, our team can build the whole weekend around it. Track upcoming games on our Las Vegas events calendar and let our VIP concierge team handle tickets, tables, and the hotel.
Sources: Front Office Sports, News 3 Las Vegas, Yahoo Sports.
