General
Will the NBA officially approve the addition of two expansion teams (likely Las Vegas and Seattle) before the end of the 2026 calendar year?
A sports and economics prediction on the official decision to expand the US professional basketball league.
60 total votes
Analysis
NBA Expansion: Two New Teams Approved by End of 2026
The NBA has consistently signaled its intention to expand, with Las Vegas and Seattle being the clear frontrunners. This prediction states that the NBA's Board of Governors will officially **approve the addition of two expansion teams** before the end of the 2026 calendar year, likely for a launch in the 2027-2028 season.
The Financial Incentive
The high **'Yes'** vote is based on the immense financial gain for the current owners. The expected expansion fees for two teams are estimated to be over **$6 billion** in total. This massive, non-dilutive capital injection is too compelling a financial event to postpone much longer. Commissioner Adam Silver has repeatedly stated that expansion is inevitable, and the timing aligns with recent labor agreement stability, making 2026 the optimal window to finalize the vote.