Las Vegas NBA expansion debut could slip to 2029-30

Lead

The NBA’s prospective Las Vegas expansion franchise could begin play in 2029-30 rather than the previously targeted 2028-29 season, as the league and bidders weigh arena infrastructure and the timing of the ownership process. Source 3 Source 4 Source 5

What happened

The NBA had previously been targeting 2028-29 as the start date for new franchises in both Las Vegas and Seattle. Source 1 Source 3 Source 4 Source 5 Recent reporting now indicates that Las Vegas could open a year later, although a 2028-29 debut remains possible rather than having been formally discarded. Source 3 Source 4 Source 5

The prospective delay is tied to discussions over the venue the team would use and when the bid process can be resolved. Source 3 Source 4 Source 5 Three ownership groups have emerged as finalists: a group led by Nancy Walton Laurie and Bill Laurie; a group including Bill Foley and Jerry Colangelo; and a group featuring Steve Apostolopoulos and Marc Lasry. Source 2 Source 4

Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league aims to make its expansion decision by the end of 2026, while reporting has pointed to the possibility of an unofficial agreement on the Las Vegas ownership group by the end of November. Source 3 Source 4 Source 5 However, a decision on the ownership group did not appear imminent as of early October. Source 5

Why it matters

A shift to 2029-30 would give the eventual Las Vegas franchise more time to settle its arena arrangements before launching, which is the central issue being explored by the league. Source 1 Source 3 Source 5 The overall price of bringing a team to Las Vegas, combining the expansion fee and arena, is expected to reach between $12 billion and $13 billion. Source 2 Source 3

T-Mobile Arena is one possible solution, either as a temporary venue or a long-term home, but significant renovation work would be required for an NBA team to use it. Source 3 Source 4 Those improvements have been estimated at up to $400 million. Source 3 Source 4

Some bidding groups have instead put forward plans for a new Las Vegas arena, with a modern building projected to cost around $2 billion. Source 3 Source 4 Silver has expressed enthusiasm about a renovated T-Mobile Arena while also recognising that substantial upgrades would be needed if it were to host an NBA team over the long term. Source 1 Source 2

The ownership outcome could also shape the wider expansion picture, because unsuccessful Las Vegas bidders could be directed towards a potential Seattle franchise. Source 3 Source 4 That possibility is not a confirmed allocation of a Seattle team, but it underlines how the two expansion markets remain connected in the NBA’s planning. Source 1 Source 3 Source 4

What’s next

The next major marker is the NBA’s stated aim to reach an expansion decision by the end of 2026. Source 3 Source 4 Source 5 Before then, the league must determine an ownership group and gain enough clarity on a viable Las Vegas arena plan to decide whether the original 2028-29 target remains realistic. Source 3 Source 4 Source 5

An unofficial agreement on the preferred Las Vegas ownership group could come by the end of November, but reporting in early October suggested that no decision was close. Source 3 Source 4 Source 5 The opening-season question therefore remains open: 2029-30 is under discussion, while 2028-29 has not been ruled out. Source 3 Source 4 Source 5

Notes

The reported 2029-30 date is a potential revision, not a final NBA announcement. Source 3 Source 4 Source 5 The eventual venue, ownership group and whether a new arena or renovated T-Mobile Arena would be used have yet to be settled publicly. Source 2 Source 3 Source 4