The case for expanding the NBA to 32 teams and where they should go

Published 2026-03-17

The NBA's 32-Team Future: More Markets, More Mayhem

The NBA is leaving money on the table. Pure and simple. With a new media rights deal on the horizon, the league has a golden opportunity to expand its footprint, diversify its revenue streams, and inject fresh energy into a product that, while excellent, could always use a shot in the arm. It’s time for 32 teams. There are countless arguments against expansion – diluting talent, scheduling nightmares, finding owners – but they all ring hollow in the face of the overwhelming positives. The talent pool is deeper than ever, evidenced by the sheer number of legitimate NBA-caliber players currently flourishing in Europe or the G-League. And Adam Silver, for all his faults, is a commissioner who understands market potential. The prime candidates for expansion are obvious, almost painfully so. The first two cities that jump out are Las Vegas and Seattle. Las Vegas, already home to a successful WNBA franchise in the Aces and a burgeoning sports scene, has proven its capacity to host major professional teams. The city’s ability to attract tourism and its growing local population make it a slam dunk. Seattle, on the other hand, is a city with a chip on its shoulder. The Sonics were unceremoniously ripped away in 2008, leaving a gaping hole in the hearts of basketball fans. The KeyArena is long gone, replaced by the state-of-the-art Climate Pledge Arena, a venue perfectly suited for an NBA franchise. Seattle averaged over 16,000 fans per game for its last five seasons before relocation, proof of its enduring passion. Beyond these two no-brainers, the conversation gets more interesting. The Eastern Conference needs some love, and two cities stand out: Louisville and Kansas City. Louisville, Kentucky, is a basketball hotbed with a passionate, established fanbase thanks to the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Wildcats. The KFC Yum! Center, built in 2010, seats over 22,000 and is consistently one of the highest-attended college basketball venues in the nation. It’s a ready-made NBA arena in a city craving a professional team. Kansas City, Missouri, is another compelling option. While it might lack the immediate "basketball city" reputation of Louisville, its central location and growing metropolitan area of over 2.2 million people make it an attractive prospect. The T-Mobile Center, opened in 2007, is a modern arena capable of hosting an NBA team, and the city has a track record of supporting professional sports, as evidenced by the Chiefs and Royals. The financial implications alone should be enough to push this forward. Each expansion fee is projected to be in the ballpark of $2.5 billion to $3 billion. That’s an immediate cash infusion of up to $6 billion, which could be distributed amongst existing owners, cushioning any potential short-term revenue dips from expanding the pie. Given the NBA's current valuation of $10 billion for its media rights, a 30-team league is already a bargain. Thirty-two teams would only make that number climb higher in the next negotiation. The argument about diluted talent is a red herring. The league has consistently absorbed talent increases without a significant drop in quality. Think about the influx of international players like Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, or the growing strength of the G-League as a developmental pipeline. The talent is there; it just needs more opportunities. A 32-team league, with two 16-team conferences, would also simplify scheduling, allowing for more balanced inter-conference play and reducing travel burdens over an 82-game season. More teams mean more local rivalries, more compelling storylines, and ultimately, more fan engagement. **My bold prediction: The NBA will announce its expansion to 32 teams by the end of 2025, with Las Vegas and Seattle confirmed, and Louisville and Kansas City as strong contenders for the other two slots.**