NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Discusses Expansion, Cup Future, and NBA Europe
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently spoke to the media regarding future league expansion, the NBA Cup, and the NBA’s initiatives in Europe. These discussions took place ahead of the Emirates NBA Cup Championship in Las Vegas.
NBA Expansion Plans
The NBA is set to make a significant decision on expansion within the next year. Currently, there are 30 teams in the league, but plans are underway to potentially grow to 32 teams. Silver identified Las Vegas and Seattle as prime candidates for new franchises.
- Las Vegas is seen as a strong market due to its existing sports infrastructure.
- Seattle, which previously had the SuperSonics until their relocation in 2008, is also being seriously considered.
- Expansion decision expected by 2026.
Silver remarked, “Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the economic viability of new teams before making any commitments.
Future of the NBA Cup
In an update about the NBA Cup, Silver hinted that the championship game may relocate from Las Vegas. He mentioned exploring options that include historic college arenas. Additionally, semifinal games will now be played at the home venues of the top-seeded teams starting next season, reshaping the traditional final four format.
Viewership Growth
The league’s partnership with Amazon Prime Video has yielded positive results. Recent semifinal games saw an average of 1.67 million viewers, marking a 14% increase over the previous year’s semis. Furthermore, social media engagement soared, resulting in a 126% year-over-year increase across all platforms.
NBA Europe Initiative
Silver also shared insights about upcoming developments regarding the NBA’s European league project in collaboration with FIBA. The NBA is set to host regular-season games in Berlin and London next month. Silver noted that the league is actively seeking investments and partnerships to support European expansion.
He stated that January will bring more serious discussions regarding potential teams and their investors.
Other Notable Mentions
Silver expressed concern regarding Chris Paul’s recent situation with the Los Angeles Clippers, acknowledging his close relationship with the player. Paul is expected to retire after this season, and Silver hopes he will finish his career strongly.
Additionally, Silver conveyed optimism about ongoing negotiations with the WNBA regarding a new labor deal, stating that the NBA is committed to ensuring fair compensation for its players in light of the league’s growth.
