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LeBron James rescinded his interest in Vegas team ownership
Las Vegas could soon become the epicenter of American sports entertainment, with the NBA eyeing expansion in Sin City.
Las Vegas had zero major professional sports franchises in 2016. A decade later, the tourist magnet is on the cusp of boasting NHL, NFL, MLB, WNBA and, soon, NBA franchises.
The NBA Board of Governors voted to approve NBA expansion teams in Vegas and Seattle on Wednesday, ESPN reported.
“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle – two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”
For potential bidders to seize control of what will no doubt become one of the NBA’s highest-valued franchises, the price won’t be cheap.
Industry experts predict that a new NBA expansion team in Las Vegas is expected to cost between $7 billion and $10 billion.
Such a sale would be among the richest entry fees in league history.
Vegas Expansion Bid Could Break Lakers’ Purchase Record
GettyAdam Silver confirmed the league is exploring expansion in Las Vegas
Economists project that the bid for a Vegas expansion team could reach, or even surpass $10 billion.
If so, it could contend with the Los Angeles Lakers as the most expensive NBA franchise acquisition.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter purchased a majority stake in the Lakers for a record-setting $10 billion valuation in October 2025.
Two months before the Lakers sale, Bill Chisholm bid $6.1 billion for the Boston Celtics — a then record price for an American professional sports franchise.
The Charlotte Bobcats (now the Hornets) joined the NBA in 2004, marking the league’s most recent expansion. Back then, the expansion fee was $300 million.
LeBron Withdraws Interest in Vegas Team Ownership
GettyLeBron James rescinded his interest in Vegas team ownership
A few years ago, when expansion talks began to gain steam, several high-profile athletes expressed interest.
Notably, Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James expressed independent interest in potential ownership.
O’Neal spoke about the potential for expansion while attending a groundbreaking event organized by his Nevada-based foundation in June 2025.
“Love Vegas, love this city,” the Basketball Hall of Famer told reporters. “This city can definitely support an NBA team.”
He said he was contacting “all the top people,” but everyone, including NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, has been non-commital.
“I want to be heavily involved if it’s here,” O’Neal said. “Like heavily, heavily involved.”
Shaq’s former teammate LeBron James, however, isn’t fascinated by the same desire.
In fact, James stated he is no longer interested in owning a team in Sin City.
“No, I’m not,” James said after scoring 30 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-116 win over the Houston Rockets on March 19. “Not at all.”
James has previously publicly entertained the idea of owning a team on several occasions. In a 2022 episode of his digital show “The Shop,” James stated, “I’d like a team in Vegas.” The team in Vegas is what I want.”
In July 2024, Fortune Magazine reported that league executives expected James to make a $7 billion bid for an expansion team in Las Vegas.
James hasn’t detailed why he’s had a change of heart. In either case, expect the bidding war for the Vegas expansion team to get exorbitant quickly.
Jalyn Smoot Jalyn Smoot is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has nearly 10 years of experience in local and national media, including print and digital. He previously covered the Texas Rangers for MLB.com and the Philadelphia 76ers for Metro Philadelphia. Smoot is a St. Louis born writer that now resides in Dallas. More about Jalyn Smoot
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