NBA Expansion Faces Hurdles Ahead of July Meeting

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reiterated that while expansion is a major topic, no formal steps have been taken and the process is not automatic. The issue will be a central discussion at the Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas in July, where owners will decide whether to pursue a formal exploration process. Silver cited several hurdles to expansion, including the newly signed $77 billion national media rights deal, unresolved local TV business issues, and high expansion fees estimated at $4-5 billion per team. Interest remains strong from cities like Seattle and Las Vegas, and Silver also mentioned the possibility of separate European expansion. Recent franchise sales, such as the Boston Celtics' sale for over $6 billion and other resolved ownership matters, have helped clear some obstacles. The ultimate direction of NBA expansion will be determined by owner consensus after the July meeting.