NBA Hints at Future Expansion

[Big Z Man 1990]

If Las Vegas is 32 rather than Vancouver, I could see this alignment for the Mountain/Pacific Time Zone teams:

Mountain: Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Seattle, Utah
Pacific: Golden State, Las Vegas, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Sacramento

This divides the divisions along state/regional lines for the most part

My proposal to increase the amount of division games t0 30 (for Central which adds Minnesota and Southwest which adds Oklahoma City) or 28 (for the other divisions) games while limiting all non-division match-ups to 2 games still stands. It's time to make divisions matter in terms of regular season scheduling again, after a failed opportunity to do so this season.

 

[Big Z Man 1990]

With Minnesota joining the Central Division along with the new division-heavy schedule I am proposing, I envision the Central becoming the NBA's "Black and Blue Division" similar to the NFC North in the NFL and the old Norris Division (and to a lesser extent, the current Central Division) in the NHL, which are also primarily based in the Midwest.

 

[Cacciaguida]

ISN'T Bullets trademarked by Monumental Sports, since a banner hangs at Capital One Arena in DC

I see the arena as a much larger barrier than some silly trademark

 

[Big Z Man 1990]

If the East gets a 16th team, it will be Minnesota moving from the West, if the Seattle and Las Vegas (or more preferably, Vancouver) sites are chosen.

 

[GindyDraws]

I'd love to see a Baltimore Bullets return. Too bad their arena is garbage.

Problem is Baltimore has no plans whatsoever to replace their decrepit, ancient arena. Normally, I oppose building new arenas or stadiums for the sake of it, but if you got a place that's over 50 and looks 70, you really need to get a new venue. That applies to San Diego, Richmond & the Norfolk area, as well.

 

[PCSPounder]

Seattle’s a freaking rich market with some extremely key corporate interests. That’s the only reason they’ll get an NBA team and the Kraken to share an arena. Vegas? Eh, I’d dismiss it out of hand except the huge casinos won’t really think twice about competing arenas.

Atlanta could theoretically qualify under this exemption, but possession is nine tenths or some lame cliche like that.

Build thee an arena. We’ll talk

 

[DoyleG]

NBA Team Values 2021: Knicks Keep Top Spot At $5 Billion, While Warriors Seize No. 2 From Lakers

Maybe 9 teams above that "very low" $2.5B expansion fee.

 

[LadyStanley]

Legal woes cast shadow on Las Vegas investor’s plan to fund NBA expansion

Paywall. This guy wants to be face of NBA ownership in Vegas, claiming billions in assets, but has filed for bankruptcy and has multiple liens and HOA fines unpaid.


I don't know the NBA would like such a person as an owner.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

I just want to see some mega billionaire put a second team in Chicago (after paying a hefty indemnity to the Bulls). If placed in the West while the Bulls remained in the East, I’d be very confident that a second Chicago team would at least be in the top half, if not top third, of the league in terms of revenues.

 

[PCSPounder]

32nd team?

Pikeville, Kentucky, baby! Accept no substitutes!

(I said “build thee an arena.” That advice holds.)

 

[LadyStanley]

https://www.reviewjournal.com/sport...-will-be-on-potential-expansion-list-2458291/

Vegas expected to be on NBA expansion list.

I'd imagine Foley and Davis might be two of the leading guys for ownership, expanding what they already have. (Have to wonder if VGK minor owners Maloofs might be interested in getting back into basketball.)

 

[BKIslandersFan]

https://www.reviewjournal.com/sport...-will-be-on-potential-expansion-list-2458291/

Vegas expected to be on NBA expansion list.

I'd imagine Foley and Davis might be two of the leading guys for ownership, expanding what they already have. (Have to wonder if VGK minor owners Maloofs might be interested in getting back into basketball.)

Mark Davis? He doesn't have the money.

 

[LadyStanley]

Mark Davis? He doesn't have the money.

He bought the WNBA team.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

He bought the WNBA team.

$20M for WNBA team vs couple billion for NBA.

 

[DaBadGuy7]

 

[No Fun Shogun]

In the fishing for bidders phase, I see.

 

[GKJ]

Have to imagine they'll get into any market they actively want to be in in due course.

The NBA has exploded in Canada since the departure of the Grizzlies, it stands to reason that they see new opportunities.

Mexico City seems to be a bridge a bit too far right now, though. But I can also see that they want to be the first league in there.

 

[StreetHawk]

Have to imagine they'll get into any market they actively want to be in in due course.

The NBA has exploded in Canada since the departure of the Grizzlies, it stands to reason that they see new opportunities.

Mexico City seems to be a bridge a bit too far right now, though. But I can also see that they want to be the first league in there.

For Vancouver to get another NBA team, they would require an Owner much wealthier than the Aquillinis. Vancouver has expensive and limited land, so I don't see the city greenlighting land to be zoned for another arena. Only need 1 in the downtown area.

The going rate for an NBA team now is likely going to be $4 billion for LV and Seattle based on the sale of the Suns and Bucks and Hornets. Each was a difference of $500 mill with the Suns at $4 bill down to the Hornets which is rated a bottom 2-3 valued team at $3 billion.

If the NBA is thinking Montreal, is that price something that the Molson family can pay?

 

[varsaku]

Have to imagine they'll get into any market they actively want to be in in due course.

The NBA has exploded in Canada since the departure of the Grizzlies, it stands to reason that they see new opportunities.

Mexico City seems to be a bridge a bit too far right now, though. But I can also see that they want to be the first league in there.

Mexico City would be the best if they are looking to expand their footprint.

 

[GKJ]

Mexico City would be the best if they are looking to expand their footprint.

It would, I question the logistics of making that work though. At least in the short-term. It's sort of on an island.

 

[PCSPounder]

It would, I question the logistics of making that work though. At least in the short-term. It's sort of on an island.

Any American League except MLS could easily make that work… if they didn’t mind changing their MO. But I won’t be holding my breath for that.

Build thee an arena… advice that includes Vancouver, but not Seattle.

 

[jigglysquishy]

I doubt they expand to Canada. Every expansion to Canada from NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL.

Montreal Expos - 1969
Vancouver Canucks - 1970
Toronto Blue Jays - 1977
Ottawa Senators - 1992
Toronto Raptors - 1993
Vancouver Grizzlies - 1995

There were 4 WHA expansion teams in Canada (Toronto, Alberta, Quebec, Ottawa). Zero ABA teams. Zero AFL teams. The rest of the Canadian NHL teams pre-date the NHA->NHL transition. And then the 3 PCHA teams/4 WCHL teams.

Only 6 expansion teams in the last 100 years, 2 of which moved later. All 6 came within a 26 year period from 1969-1995.

The pro sports market has been incredibly pessimistic on Canadian markets.

Neither Montreal nor Vancouver are going to get an NBA team. Especially with the current dollar value situation and impending/existing recession.

 

[GKJ]

Any American League except MLS could easily make that work… if they didn’t mind changing their MO. But I won’t be holding my breath for that.

Build thee an arena… advice that includes Vancouver, but not Seattle.

All NBA arenas require that they get first call on dates, so I can see where things won’t necessarily work in that regard.

 

[PCSPounder]

All NBA arenas require that they get first call on dates, so I can see where things won’t necessarily work in that regard.

Not to mention the anchor tenant tends to boss the revenue streams. That can be alleviated in major markets (where RSNs are still viable) and markets with really heavy hitters (for which Seattle qualifies).

 

[CokenoPepsi]

For NBA in Vancouver you would need someone to partner with the Aquillinis...maybe some outside billionaire can bring Ryan Reynolds in for some PR with Steve Nash or something.

NBA people saying league wants to get to 34 teams so who knows