SonicsFriday, November 6
Gov. Ferguson pitches the Sonics' return to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for a third time this year
The SEAtoday team
If you've been waiting on the Sonics, Gov. Bob Ferguson made another pitch Thursday. He and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver met virtually, the third time this year. Ferguson's office called it "another good conversation" and said he's "committed to bringing the Sonics home."
Ferguson and Silver have talked three times this year
- Feb.Ferguson and Silver talk before the league opens expansion talks
- MarchFerguson and Silver talk again
- Nov. 5Ferguson and Silver meet virtually for a third time this year
- Late 2026NBA expects to decide on expansion by the end of 2026; it could add one team or none
- 2028-29NBA plans for expansion team or teams to start competing
Sources: Washington State Standard, The Daily Chronicle
The league is exploring Seattle and Las Vegas and says it still intends to decide before the end of the year, Ferguson told reporters Wednesday that "our bid is strong, we have the right arena." Silver has said the decision could mean one new team or none. KOMO says Seattle has one credible group, led by One Roof Sports and Entertainment and Kraken majority owner Samantha Holloway, while Las Vegas has multiple bidders.
- Target start: the 2028-29 season
- Arena: Silver says Climate Pledge could host with five weeks' notice
- Other Seattle bid: private equity-backed group partnering with the Tulalip Tribes
An expansion team could cost $10 billion in Las Vegas and more than $6 billion in Seattle
Sources: Washington State Standard, KOMO
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas, could cost | $10 billion |
| Seattle, could top | $6 billion |
Sources: Washington State Standard, The Daily Chronicle, KOMO