Re: NBA To Focus On Expansion After Media Rights Deal

[RealGM Wiretap]

It's a fairly open secret that the NBA is going to expand sometime in the relatively near future. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said the league will look into expansion after they complete their new media rights deal in the next year or so.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is adding some additional reporting that the NBA will focus on adding two teams after the media rights deal is done.

"Certainly, Las Vegas is going to be at or among the primary cities, along with Seattle," Wojnarowski said. "The league has been migrating towards Las Vegas for years."

Wojnarowski added that expansion is "not far off" and will include two cities.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

[NuckyPowell]

With likely adding Vegas and Seattle in the West, it's got to be Memphis and New Orleans going to the Eastern conference, right? I thought maybe Minnesota, but they're a little further West than Memphis and New Orleans.

[gom]

With likely adding Vegas and Seattle in the West, it's got to be Memphis and New Orleans going to the Eastern conference, right? I thought maybe Minnesota, but they're a little further West than Memphis and New Orleans.

Only one team needs to move East to maintain equity.

[Norm2953]

I'd personally move Minnesota and Memphis to the Eastern Conference for New Orleans is close to
the 3 Texas teams

[DoItALL9]

Minnesota only

Their geography isn't farthest East but their travel in the West is the worst. Their movement would create the most savings for everyone.

[Max Power]

Yeah, logic for me says Memphis is the obvious team that moves to the Eastern conference since it’s already there physically anyway. I love the idea of expansion, that’s an exciting time and Vegas and Seattle are really the only viable cities for expansion outside of maybe Kansas City. Tampa is viable but Orlando being so close by eliminates them. The only other city that makes sense in the East would be Pittsburgh.

[WargamesX]

Yeah, logic for me says Memphis is the obvious team that moves to the Eastern conference since it’s already there physically anyway. I love the idea of expansion, that’s an exciting time and Vegas and Seattle are really the only viable cities for expansion outside of maybe Kansas City. Tampa is viable but Orlando being so close by eliminates them. The only other city that makes sense in the East would be Pittsburgh.

I think its either the grizzlies like you said or the wolves. Only because the Wolves are actually pretty close to the bucks, pacers, and bulls physically. Whereas the Grizzlies are close to the pelicans, okc, and some texas teams.

Going with my gut I could see them moving the wolves because that franchise really needs a new start.

[greekman]

there are 10 population centers in canada pushing 1+ million. canada now officially has more people than california. why isn't there more interest ?

[JCruz6]

there are 10 population centers in canada pushing 1+ million. canada now officially has more people than california. why isn't there more interest ?

1. Taxes
2. Visas
3. Government

[TheCage4]

The travel cost/time will be the main factor in which team switches conferences, although having two expansion teams in one conference further hinders parity.

I say if it must be done, put one expansion team in each conference. Seattle should come before Vegas, and I’m unsure which potential “Eastern Conference” city would make the cut. I’d go with St Louis or KC.

[LaRance]

Time to bring Vancouver back!!!!!

[Beam Me Up Foxy]

Louisville in the East. Its a major basketball market. Already has an NBA ready arena and it'd be the only pro team in the entire state of Kentucky...?

Seattle is the no-brainer.

[Trailbreaker]

The travel cost/time will be the main factor in which team switches conferences, although having two expansion teams in one conference further hinders parity.

I say if it must be done, put one expansion team in each conference. Seattle should come before Vegas, and I’m unsure which potential “Eastern Conference” city would make the cut. I’d go with St Louis or KC.

Louisville (Kentucky Colonels revival) or Virginia Beach.

[Prestige]

The travel cost/time will be the main factor in which team switches conferences, although having two expansion teams in one conference further hinders parity.

I say if it must be done, put one expansion team in each conference. Seattle should come before Vegas, and I’m unsure which potential “Eastern Conference” city would make the cut. I’d go with St Louis or KC.

You don’t need to randomly put a team in an Eastern market. That’s a bad business move. Add 2 expansion teams in whatever markets are viable, then if they are both in the same conference, just move the most eastern Western conference team to the East.

[fredweis]

There’s a prospective ownership group with ex NBA players/executives lobbying the NBA for a team in Nashville.

Vegas is in the bag. If Seattle screws the pooch then Nashville is a great location.

[Pickled Prunes]

There’s a prospective ownership group with ex NBA players/executives lobbying the NBA for a team in Nashville.

Vegas is in the bag. If Seattle screws the pooch then Nashville is a great location.

Seattle is a done deal. The NBA left because the city would not invest in an arena retrofit. That Arena is now complete and the Clips and Jazz played there two nights ago.