March 18, 2026Updated March 19, 2026, 12:54 a.m. ET
The Fenway Sports Group, which is a business partner of LeBron James, is not expected to pursue the potential NBA Las Vegas expansion team, according to a report by The Athletic.
Las Vegas and Seattle are expected to be serious contenders for new NBA expansion teams.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the league will hold a vote at the board of governors meeting next week regarding the addition of new expansion teams in those respective cities. If approved, the league would target the start of the 2028-29 season as the first year of play for the new teams.
James had stated publicly for the past decade that he would be interested in joining the likes of Michael Jordan as a former player who became an NBA owner. In more recent years, he has especially expressed interest in owning a team in Las Vegas.
But with Fenway Sports Group “no longer pursuing NBA ownership, it is less likely that LeBron will pursue a team,” The Athletic reported, citing a source.
James was asked Wednesday night, after the Lakers’ win over the Rockets, if he would potentially be part of a group bidding on a Las Vegas team. “No, I’m not. Not at all,” James said, per ESPN.
The 22-time All-Star is currently playing his 23rd season and has not publicly decided on his future. He signed a multi-year contract with the Lakers in 2024 and is in the final year of that deal.
James began his partnership with FSG in 2021, making him a part-owner of several organizations, including the Boston Red Sox and the Liverpool Football Club.