LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver revealed new details Tuesday regarding a potential expansion franchise in Las Vegas, confirming that several active bidding groups remain in contention and multiple arena concepts are currently under review.
Speaking following the NBA Board of Governors meetings in New York, Silver indicated the league is weighing whether an incoming Las Vegas team would play in an upgraded T-Mobile Arena or in a newly constructed venue.
Silver noted that Dallas Mavericks governor and Las Vegas Sands executive Patrick Dumont led discussions evaluating viable arena locations across the valley.
“I think that there is real excitement around either, you know, a renovated T-Mobile Arena,” Silver said. “I think everyone acknowledges if a team were to stay there, it still needs some significant improvements. But at the same time, there are groups who have presented plans to build what I would call, you know, a modern entertainment palace in Las Vegas.”
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Exploring Sphere-Inspired Venue Concepts
Silver highlighted the broader entertainment landscape in Southern Nevada, specifically pointing to the economic and architectural footprint of Sphere as an inspiration for potential developers.
“There was some discussion about how much the Sphere has impacted Las Vegas, you know, what a technological marvel that is, what it’s meant as a showcase, and even as what it’s meant economically for Las Vegas,” Silver said. “And so there’s some discussions around a similar vein.”
The commissioner emphasized that Las Vegas offers a rare market capable of sustaining year-round activity 365 days a year.
Decision Timeline and Next Bids
While expansion talks also encompass Seattle, Silver cautioned that the league is not yet ready to commit to a specific Las Vegas site. Next-round bids are expected to be submitted shortly, with league officials hoping to make formal decisions by the end of the year.
“Right now, you know, we’re at the point where there will be next-round bids coming in shortly, not final bids, but next-round bids coming in,” Silver said. “And my personal view is it’s premature to start locking in a site. I think there are several different locations that would be very viable for NBA basketball in Las Vegas.”
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