NBA Las Vegas Expansion: Potential Owners and Arena Sites

Multiple ownership groups, including an official bid from Golden Knights owner Bill Foley and interest from Earvin “Magic” Johnson, are vying for a potential NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas. Commissioner Adam Silver hopes to determine if the league will expand by the end of the year, with several arena sites across the Strip currently under consideration.

The expansion process has attracted a variety of high-profile figures. Bill Foley officially announced his bid on Monday, while the MAGI group, led by Magic Johnson, met with Gov. Joe Lombardo and civic leaders in February. According to Las Vegas-based business manager Perry Rogers, Shaquille O’Neal is also interested in joining an ownership group.

A source noted that Michael Jordan’s name has been mentioned by ownership groups, though no direct talks have occurred between Jordan and area officials. Most competing groups follow a similar pattern, pairing an NBA-connected individual with a major developer and deep-pocketed investors, according to a source.

Did You Know? The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation purchased 23 acres of Strip land for $115 million, which includes the site of the Route 91 Harvest festival mass shooting and is a potential arena location.

Where could a Las Vegas NBA team play?

T-Mobile Arena is a primary contender. If Bill Foley’s bid succeeds, he intends to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into the 10-year-old facility. This could include replacing the West VIP parking lot with a dedicated NBA development, according to a source.

MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle stated this spring that T-Mobile Arena is part of the NBA conversations and could serve as either a temporary or permanent home. Sources indicate that MGM Resorts International, the state’s largest employer, will likely need to “bless” any final arena location, even those outside their properties.

What are the North Strip options?

Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom identifies the North Strip as the ideal location to avoid congestion near Allegiant Stadium and the under-construction Athletics ballpark. Three specific sites are currently in play in this district.

Resorts World possesses undeveloped land that president Carlos Castro called “prime land” for an arena in March. This site has attracted interest from several groups, including Oak View Group, and served as the meeting place for Magic Johnson’s MAGI group.

Other possibilities include the 37-acre Las Vegas Festival Grounds owned by Phil Ruffin and a 27-acre site held by real estate firm LVXP. Segerblom reported that two confidential groups have expressed interest in the LVXP location.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that the tension between utilizing the established T-Mobile Arena and developing the North Strip represents a choice between immediate operational readiness and long-term urban expansion. While T-Mobile offers a proven venue, a North Strip project could act as a catalyst for an area that has historically struggled compared to the southern Strip.

Which other sites are being considered?

Several other plots remain in the conversation, though some are viewed as less likely. A proposal for the “Las Vegas Diamond Arena” includes a 21,212-seat facility on 11 acres near Mandalay Bay, backed by Chetak Development, Inc.

Land behind Caesars Entertainment properties—specifically the Horseshoe, Paris, and Planet Hollywood—has been mentioned by a group interested in combining an NBA arena with an MLS stadium. However, this site is used by Formula One for infrastructure storage, and the race’s extension through 2037 may impact development.

Other mentioned sites include the Bali Hai Golf Course, which Oak View Group is looking to buy, and a 20-acre downtown plot pitched by Mayor Shelley Berkley. According to multiple sources, ownership groups have shown little interest in the downtown location, preferring the Strip. The “Starr Vegas” proposal, a $10 billion development on 63 acres, is considered the least likely to materialize due to its distance from the Strip.

What happens next in the expansion process?

Commissioner Adam Silver stated he does not expect a decision during the NBA board of governors meeting this summer, which runs from July 9-19. He hopes to provide a definitive answer on expansion by the end of the year.

Gov. Joe Lombardo continues to maintain dialogue with the NBA and has met with multiple ownership groups, according to spokesman Drew Galang.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the NBA decide on Las Vegas expansion?
Commissioner Adam Silver hopes to have an answer by the end of the year, though he noted a decision is unlikely this summer.

Who are the primary figures interested in ownership?
Official bids or expressed interest have come from Bill Foley, Earvin “Magic” Johnson (MAGI group), and Shaquille O’Neal. Michael Jordan has also been mentioned by ownership groups.

Which arena site is most likely?
T-Mobile Arena is a strong contender if Bill Foley’s bid is successful, while the North Strip is viewed by Commissioner Tick Segerblom as the most logical location for a new build.

Which Las Vegas location do you believe is the best fit for an NBA arena?