Tuesday, an Associated Press reporter he announced that the NBA would take advantage of the preseason to announce the creation of two new franchises. According to him, Seattle and Las Vegas should welcome the 31st and 32nd NBA franchises.
Except that the NBA denied this information, and the journalist has since withdrawn his message.
For ten years, the NBA has been regularly asked about the return of the Sonics to Seattle, and the creation of a team in Las Vegas. Here is what Adam Silver, the big boss of the league, had answered last June at the time of the Finals.
“There are great markets. We were in Seattle and I’m sorry we’re not there anymore. We have a WNBA team in Seattle in a brand new facility, which is performing spectacularly. And Las Vegas, where we will be in July for the Summer League, has shown its potential for a sports franchise. “
An extension planned for 2025?
According to American media, the owners, consulted for the creation and possible franchise moves, are waiting for the end of negotiations with the players’ union and the television networks to welcome new teams. The current contract between the NBA and its broadcasters (ESPN, ABC and TNT) ends in 2025, and it will still be necessary to wait before knowing if Seattle and/or Las Vegas will have the green light to create a franchise.
