NBA expansion timeline: What happens next after league approves Seattle and Las Vegas bids
The NBA has approved the next phase of an expansion to 32 teams with Las Vegas and Seattle the frontrunners. Here are the next steps in the process.
The NBA expansion process is officially underway. Following a vote by the league’s Board of Governors, the NBA has approved the next phase of expansion, opening the door for formal bids from Seattle and Las Vegas. This latest development marks the clearest step yet toward adding two new franchises.
This starts the NBA's 32-team expansion process. Multiple high-ranking officials have termed expansion as "when, not if." Now the NBA will examine Seattle and Las Vegas bids over the next several months, and whether to execute the new franchise purchases now or in a few years. https://t.co/Rkd0fZ41c7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2026
So, what happens next?
Next steps in NBA 32-team expansion
Phase 1: Formal bidding begins
With approval granted, the NBA will now begin evaluating ownership groups in both markets. According to early projections, expansion fees could land between $7 billion and $10 billion per team, making this one of the most lucrative expansion processes in sports history.
Potential ownership groups will submit detailed proposals, including financial backing, arena plans, and long-term market strategy.
Phase 2: Market and arena evaluations
While both Seattle and Las Vegas are strong candidates, the league will still conduct a deep review of each market. Seattle already has a ready-made NBA arena in Climate Pledge Arena, while Las Vegas continues to emerge as a major sports hub following the arrivals of the NFL’s Raiders and NHL’s Golden Knights.
Phase 3: Ownership selection
Once bids are reviewed, the NBA will select ownership groups for each franchise. This phase could take months, depending on the complexity of the bids and negotiations.
Phase 4: Final approval and expansion fee payment
After ownership groups are chosen, the Board of Governors will vote again to formally approve the expansion teams. At that point, ownership groups will be required to pay the expansion fees, likely in the multi-billion-dollar range.
Phase 5: Expansion draft and roster building
Once teams are official, the NBA will organize an expansion draft, allowing new franchises to select players from existing teams under league rules. Front offices, coaching staffs, and branding (team names, logos, uniforms) will also be finalized during this stage.
The NBA’s current expansion draft rules:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 16, 2026
- Expansion teams will get to “steal” unprotected players from teams
- Teams can protect 8 of their players
- Teams can’t protect players on expiring contracts or restricted free agents
- Only one player taken per team
- Contracts…
Phase 6: Target debut timeline
While no official start date has been announced, most projections point to the 2028–29 NBA season as a realistic target for both teams to begin play.
Big change for NBA
This vote signals a major shift for the NBA, which has remained at 30 teams since 2004. Expansion will not only reshape the league’s structure but could also trigger conference realignment and significantly boost league revenue.
For fans in Seattle, it brings the long-awaited return of professional basketball one step closer. For Las Vegas, it’s another sign the city has fully arrived as a major league sports destination.
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