LeBron James wants to own NBA franchise in Las Vegas
Let speculation about the NBA in Las Vegas continue.
Speaking on his talk show, “The Shop: Uninterrupted,” Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James said he wants to own an NBA franchise in Las Vegas.
“I want to buy a team. For sure,” he said during a clip released via Uninterrupted on Twitter. “I would much rather own a team before I talk (on television). I want a team in Vegas. I want the team in Vegas.”
"I want a team in Vegas." 👀 @KingJames hints at his next big move on an all new episode of #TheShop TOMORROW at 9 am PT on our YouTube! 📺 pic.twitter.com/HIZKsBYPGF
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) June 9, 2022
The show is available in its entirety at 9 a.m. Friday on YouTube.
Las Vegas and Seattle are considered the two likeliest expansion markets should the NBA expand from 3o to 32 teams. In a press conference before the NBA Finals, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league is not currently discussing expansion.
“We are not discussing that at this time,” Silver said. “As I’ve said before, at some point, this league will invariably expand, just not at this moment.”
That said, James’ comments would seem to align with a February report by The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, who said on his podcast that Fenway Sports Group — with which James is a partner — is a leading contender to land an NBA franchise.
The group also owns the MLB’s Boston Red Sox, the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins and Liverpool F.C. of the Premier League in England.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman told the Review-Journal in December of 2020 that she hopes the NBA expands to Las Vegas at some point.
“I can assure you that we’re right there. And we would look forward to it,” she said. “I think in time, we would just be a perfect fit. … (Commissioner Adam Silver) knows we’re right there. That’s what I know directly from him, which I think is most significant.”
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.