NBA Commissioner Adam Silver blindsides Sonics faithful by floating surprise expansion alternative

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has reportedly told team owners that Seattle is not guaranteed a place in any future expansion, while expressing strong support for Las Vegas and raising Mexico City as another possibility. The news has unsettled Seattle Sonics fans, who have hoped for the team’s return since it moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

The league’s 30 owners voted last March to explore expansion in Seattle and Las Vegas, and a group seeking to bring back the Sonics has secured backing from Melinda French Gates. But the article says bids for a Las Vegas team could exceed $10 billion, while Seattle offers prospective owners less control over arena income because Climate Pledge Arena is already operated by others. Silver may be using Mexico City as leverage to increase Seattle bids, though the league has made no commitment to expand or add two teams.