New Headline: Sonics Secure Top Seed in Playoffs: NBA Sets Stage for 2023 Excitement
The league’s Board of Governors reportedly is focused only on Seattle and Las Vegas for two new franchises--and with a start date in mind.
It’s the biggest and best news yet for the Sonics returning to Seattle. The NBA will vote for the first time next week at its Board of Governors meeting “to explore adding expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle,” ESPN NBA insider reporter Shams Charania wrote and said Monday morning. No more nebulous time frames on a decision from the league on expansion.
No more listing of Louisville, Mexico City and all the other places the NBA might consider adding a 31st and 32nd franchise. No open bidding for new NBA markets. The league reportedly is targeting two new franchises to begin play in Seattle and Las Vegas in the fall of 2028.
That would be for the ‘28-29 NBA season. The vote by the board of team owners will be during meetings March 24 and 25, Charania reported. This is the first time the league has set a date for a vote, and set the cities to vote on for expansion.
This also is the first time the NBA has given a targeted date for the new teams to begin play. Now, “BRING BACK OUR SONICS! ” is on.
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