Earlier this week, the NBA Board of Governors voted to authorize the league to explore expansion options in Las Vegas and Seattle. The NBA is evaluating ownership groups, arena plans, and financial planning.
The league is aiming to garner an expansion fee between $7 to $10 billion per team, according to ESPN. If Seattle and Vegas are approved, they could join the league in the 2028-2029 season, bringing the NBA to a total of 32 teams.
Former Assistant Coach Terry Stotts Shares His Favorite Seattle SuperSonics Memory
Earlier this week, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Terry Stotts spoke about his favorite Seattle SuperSonics memory.
“Well, my favorite memories of the Sonics was being with them and going to the finals,” said Stotts. “The 90s were such a great era for the Sonics, for the town, and it’s a shame that they’re not there. And obviously, when they get a team, it’s going to be very well supported.”
When asked about the Interstate 5 rivalry between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle SuperSonics, Stotts spoke highly of the matchups, noting it was a great rivalry because both teams were really good during that era.
Stotts zeroed in on the mutual respect between the Trail Blazers and SuperSonics that made those matchups exciting for NBA fans and members of the basketball communities.
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After the vote concluded, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement that they looked forward to meeting with interested ownership groups.
“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle – two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball. We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”
“There is enormous instability in the world at the moment,” Silver said. “We may ultimately conclude for reasons completely out of our control that it’s not the right time to expand.”
Later that day, during his scheduled press conference, Silver also mentioned focusing on Las Vegas and Seattle because of their support for NBA basketball and their unique markets in the U.S.
“I think Seattle and Las Vegas, in terms of their history and support of NBA basketball, are unique in terms of available markets in the U.S. right now,” he said. “No knock on any other markets. Those are just the markets we’re focused on.”
After the news was announced, Washington state governor Bob Ferguson released a statement: “For two decades, Washingtonians have mourned the loss of our Sonics. Today’s vote is a milestone in the effort to bring NBA basketball back home.”
“The time is right… We know we have the best fans in the NBA. Bringing the Sonics back is a top priority, and the state will be a strong partner in this effort. I plan to be there at tipoff with thousands of fellow fans when the Sonics return,” Ferguson added.
