Contrary to speculations, the NBA is not anticipated to discuss expansion until at least a few years from now, when the new CBA and new television and streaming rights agreements have been finalized. If the owners decide to open the doors, they will do it when they can charge the highest price (with locked-in labor peace and higher television revenue).
The NBA has been absent in Seattle for a while now, but the fans there have been more than patient (they will get a taste in October when the Trail Blazers will host the Clippers for a couple of preseason games). Tod Leiweke, co-owner and CEO of the Seattle Kraken, was questioned by Fox Sports 13 in Seattle regarding rumors of an NBA full-time return to the city. In the opinion of the NBA league office, he struck the appropriate tone.
"I won't comment on it (rumor). There will be a lot of innuendos and rumors. We believe being behind the league is the best thing we can do. They are now discussing a CBA, and upcoming television deals are two significant challenges for them. They will deal with this in due course. And when the time comes, we'll be in a good position.
"The challenging process of creating a top-notch venue is complete. The squad left for that reason. That top-notch venue is now available. It will endure throughout time. The facility is fantastic for basketball. And the Clippers' game against the Portland Trail Blazers is something we're looking forward to. The first NBA game in our building will take place the first week of October, and we'll have a filled house and announce our arrival to the world in our Seattle fashion. Two games will be played here. We are prepared.
The connections between David Bonderman, the principal owner of Kraken, and the Boston Celtics are inherent.
During the NBA Finals, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said regarding expansion, "We are not exploring that at this time." As I have stated, this league will inevitably expand at some time, but we are not currently considering it.
Seattle will be first on the list to receive a new club if the NBA decides to expand in a few years (Las Vegas is the frontrunner for a second team). The only way to convince many owners to support expansion is to show them that adding these teams will raise enough revenue for the league to offset the further division of the television money. However, this is still an "if" because it takes two-thirds of the owners to approve the expansion. The owners will run the business like a chilly, complex business.
Seattle will be ready when the time comes for expansion talks.
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