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For a long time, many have considered the expansion of the NBA a foregone conclusion. However, a recent convening of the league’s Board of Governors has significantly dampened those expectations, leaving fans in potential new markets like Seattle and Las Vegas disappointed.
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently expressed concerns about expansion, specifically the complexities of regional television deals in new markets. “It would be irresponsible to expand without a solid plan for local broadcast rights,” Silver explained. “We can’t just set up a team in a new city and expect them to figure out local broadcasting on their own.”
Bill Simmons of The Ringer suggests that financial considerations are at the heart of the matter. He points to the NBA’s recent media rights agreement, which distributes national broadcast rights among ESPN, NBC, and Amazon’s Prime Video. The deal, worth an estimated $76 billion over 11 years, provides a significant income stream that owners may be reluctant to dilute by adding more teams. Historically, the income from expansion fees would offset these concerns, but the current media deal changes the dynamics.
“It seemed almost certain that expansion was on the horizon, and Silver was in favor of it, along with several other owners,” Simmons discussed on his podcast with guest Zach Lowe. “But with this massive media deal, it seems like owners don’t want to share their revenue anymore.”
Instead of expansion, the league might consider relocating existing teams to new markets as a way to enhance franchise values. Simmons sees the New Orleans Pelicans as a prime candidate for relocation, given their struggles to build a solid fan base and the upcoming expiration of their lease at the Smoothie King Center in 2029.
“The situation in New Orleans hasn’t been successful over the past five decades with professional basketball,” Simmons noted. “If relocation could lead to a more successful franchise elsewhere, it’s worth considering, especially since we don’t necessarily need 32 teams. The current media rights deals are so lucrative that it’s hard to justify expansion.”
Simmons identified Seattle, Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Nashville as leading candidates for potential relocation or expansion teams.
“Looking at New Orleans, I’m not sure of the team’s value in its current state or market. Relocating to a market like Seattle could be more beneficial, avoiding the need to split media rights further,” Simmons speculated.
Lowe mentioned that he hasn’t heard of any other teams being considered for relocation.
According to ESPN, the Pelicans have had an average attendance of over 17,169 fans per home game this season, ranking 22nd in the league. The team’s performance has also been lackluster, with only nine playoff appearances in 23 seasons since starting in 2002–03, winning just two playoff series and never advancing past the conference semifinals. Their all-time win percentage stands at .461, with a postseason record of 22–37.
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Mike Johnson is a passionate news writer with a keen interest in current events. With over a decade of experience in journalism, he has a talent for uncovering the stories that matter most. Mike’s insightful articles and in-depth analyses have made him a trusted voice in the industry. He thrives on staying ahead of the news curve, providing readers with timely and relevant information. Whether it’s breaking news, politics, or social issues, Mike’s dedication to the craft ensures that his readers are always well-informed.