The NBA is growing, and if you want a seat at the table, you better have some seriously deep pockets. For years, fans in Seattle have been dreaming of the SuperSonics' return, while Las Vegas has become the brightest new star on the professional sports map. But "dreaming" is about to get very expensive.
According to the latest buzz in the sports business world, the entry fee for two new expansion franchises could hit a staggering $10 billion.
Why the massive price tag? It’s simple: the NBA is a money-making machine. With a massive new media rights deal in the works and the league's global popularity at an all-time high, the current owners aren't going to split their "pie" for cheap. To join the most elite basketball club in the world, the new kids on the block have to pay a premium.
Seattle is a basketball city through and through, with a ready-made fanbase still mourning the loss of their team in 2008. Meanwhile, Las Vegas has proven it can handle any sport, from hockey to F1, and LeBron James himself has expressed interest in owning a team there.
While Commissioner Adam Silver hasn't officially pressed the "go" button yet, the message is clear: expansion is coming, but it’s going to be the most expensive game in town.
