Bill Foley, owner of the Vegas Golden Knights, is preparing a bid for an NBA expansion franchise, according to NBA insider Evan Sidery on Monday, May 25. The move comes as the NBA continues formal exploration of expansion into Las Vegas and Seattle.
Sidery reported that Foley’s plan includes more than $300 million in potential renovations to T-Mobile Arena, which already serves as a major sports and entertainment venue in Las Vegas. The arena was originally designed with NBA compatibility in mind, allowing it to host professional basketball with structural adjustments rather than a full rebuild.
League expansion discussions have advanced after the Board of Governors approved exploration into new franchises, with a possible timeline pointing toward the 2028–29 season for the NBA’s potential move to 32 teams. Expansion fees are expected to range between $7 billion and $10 billion per franchise, reflecting the league’s commercial growth and global reach.
Las Vegas has emerged as one of the leading candidates due to its established sports infrastructure and consistent event demand. The city already hosts NBA Summer League annually and has become home to multiple major professional teams, including the Golden Knights, strengthening its case as a long-term basketball market.
Foley’s involvement would place an existing major sports owner directly in the NBA expansion process, aligning ownership stability with arena investment. His reported renovation plan focuses on upgrading fan experience features such as LED displays, premium seating, and hospitality areas, which are key evaluation points for NBA venues.
The T-Mobile Arena, which opened in 2016, currently seats around 18,000 for basketball configurations and can expand to approximately 20,000 with standing room. While functional for NBA games, league officials are expected to assess whether upgrades are needed to match newer arenas used by current franchises.
Commissioner Adam Silver has previously highlighted Las Vegas and Seattle as strong expansion candidates, citing sustained fan engagement and commercial viability. The approval for exploration does not guarantee expansion but initiates deeper evaluations of ownership groups, market strength, and arena readiness.
If approved, Las Vegas would enter a new phase of professional basketball presence, adding an NBA franchise to a sports market that has rapidly expanded over the past decade.
