NBA commissioner Adam Silver discusses possible league expansion

Adam Silver Talks NBA Finals, In-Season Tournament, & Expansion w/ Shaq & Chuck

Speaking to former star player Shaquille O’Neal in an interview before Game 2 of the NBA Finals, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the rumors surrounding the potential expansion of the league.

He explained that before establishing new teams, the league must complete negotiations regarding TV media, which are anticipated to commence in the spring.

“And the other thing we wanted is to understand what our new media rights packages are and those negotiations will begin in earnest, probably next spring. Once that’s done, we’ll turn to expansion,” he said.

Following the conclusion of negotiations, Silver mentioned that the league would shift its focus towards expansion. However, he clarified that the NBA has no specific plans but believes that expansion would be logical.

‘Manifest destiny’

In December, Silver implied the league’s potential expansion beyond the borders of the U.S., specifically mentioning the possibility of establishing a team in Mexico City.

He described expanding within and outside the U.S. as the league’s “manifest destiny.” He emphasized that having a team in the Mexican capital would improve fan interest in a significant geographic region.

Silver also pointed out that adding a team in Mexico City, where the league has occasionally held games over the past 30 years, could encounter regulatory hurdles. He drew a parallel between potential international trade complications experienced by the Toronto Raptors, the NBA’s only team currently based outside the U.S.

Since the creation of the Charlotte Hornets, previously known as the Charlotte Bobcats, in 2004, the NBA has yet to undergo any expansion by adding new teams.

However, there were still changes in the league’s lineup. In 2008, the Seattle SuperSonics relocated from Washington State after four decades and transformed into the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The New Jersey Nets later relocated to New York City and became the Brooklyn Nets starting from the 2012-13 season.

Regarding potential expansions, Silver discussed the possibility of introducing new teams in cities like Las Vegas and Seattle in the coming years.

Las Vegas has become the home of several newly established sports teams in recent years. The NHL welcomed the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, and in 2020, the Oakland Raiders transitioned to the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming the first NFL team in Nevada.