Major update on Las Vegas NBA expansion date emerges

First season for NBA expansion franchises could be delayed until 2029-30 instead of 2028-29.

The latest timeline update on NBA expansion to Las Vegas has emerged.

According to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, a potential NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas could debut in the 2029-30 season rather than 2028-29, pushing back the timeline by one year.

“The league had initially hoped to have its new expansion franchises begin play during the 2028-29 season – if it added ones in Las Vegas and Seattle – but it has explored whether a Sin City team could debut in 2029-30 instead, though that is just a discussion at this point,” Vorkunov reports.

NBA prioritizing Las Vegas franchise over Seattle

Per earlier reports, the Las Vegas expansion team will be prioritized over a Seattle franchise, with a livelier bidding market, higher offers, and the logistical challenge of developing a new arena factoring into the process.

The runners-up for the Las Vegas franchise could eventually compete and bid for the Seattle team.

With bids expected to reach at least $12 billion to $13 billion, three finalist groups have emerged for the Las Vegas franchise: Nancy Walton Laurie and Bill Laurie; Steve Apostolopoulos and Marc Lasry; and Bill Foley and Jerry Colangelo.

New Las Vegas team could play at T-Mobile Arena

Vorkunov adds that while the eventual owners of a Las Vegas expansion franchise would most likely be expected to build a new arena, there is also a possibility that the team could play at T-Mobile Arena.

However, that option would require significant renovations to the venue, which could reportedly cost around $400 million.

Building a new arena, on the other hand, could cost around $2 billion. Combined with the expansion fee, that could push the total financial commitment for whoever lands the franchise to around $11 billion to $12 billion, if not more.

“There is real excitement around a renovated T-Mobile Arena,” Silver said last month. “I think everyone acknowledges if a team were to stay there, it needs some significant improvements. But at the same time, there are groups who have presented plans to build what I would call a modern entertainment palace in Las Vegas. It’s a unique market where you could truly see essentially 365-days-a-year activity.”

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