NBA ownership has not decided to expand.
Is it groveling time yet in Seattle for politicians who would like to see the National Basketball Association return to the city? The NBA approved the transfer of Clayton Bennett’s Seattle SuperSonics franchise to Oklahoma City following the 2008 season because the old arena was antiquated. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson had a video chat with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and told Silver whatever you need for a franchise, just let me know. Ferguson in his State of the State said. “We know that our work in professional sports is not done until we bring the Seattle SuperSonics back home.” In 2013, Seattle investors made a bid to buy the Sacramento Kings franchise with the intention of moving the business to Seattle. NBA owners blocked the purchase and found a local buyer to keep the team in Sacramento. There have been rumors for years that the NBA was thinking of expanding with Seattle and Las Vegas in the mix.
The Seattle market has a new building that is NBA ready, has government support and there are many big sized multinational and national companies in the market that could buy big ticket items such as court side seats and luxury boxes. Seattle is a midsized TV market but with the implosion of regional sports networks, the size of market may no longer matter as leagues look for the cable TV replacement. Ferguson has “offered to be helpful in bringing back the Sonics.” The common thought was once the NBA wrapped up its American TV deals and got a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the players, the next issue on the table was adding teams. But Silver is not quite ready to say when the NBA will add teams. Silver doesn’t have the power to order an expansion. The NBA is in no rush to expand.
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