Brief

NBA to pick Las Vegas expansion franchise bid in coming weeks, three groups in contention

Three consortiums are vying for the $12‑13 billion Las Vegas NBA franchise, with a decision expected before the league’s December expansion approval deadline.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:18:21 GMT

The National Basketball Association is set to select a winning bid for a Las Vegas expansion team in the "very near future," according to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, reported by both Bleacher Report and the New York Post.

What happened

The league is preparing to add two new franchises – one in Las Vegas and another in Seattle – with an official approval process slated for the end of December. The Las Vegas bid is expected to be resolved before Seattle’s, according to the New York Post. The franchise and a new arena are projected to sell for between $12 billion and $13 billion.

What the reports add

Bleacher Report lists the three finalist groups as: Nancy Walton Laurie and Bill Laurie; Steve Apostolopoulos and Marc Lasry; and Bill Foley with Jerry Colangelo. The New York Post repeats the same three groups and adds that Las Vegas has a more active bidding market with higher offers, while Seattle will use the existing Climate Pledge Arena.

What was said

Shams Charania, cited by Bleacher Report, said the league will select the winning bid "in the very near future." The New York Post quoted the same source for the price range of $12‑13 billion and the timeline for a December approval.

How it came about

Earlier this month Felo News covered the NBA’s 2026 training‑camp schedule, noting the league’s expansion plans as a key storyline (NBA Training Camp 2026 Dates and Key Storylines). The Las Vegas bid follows a series of high‑profile ownership moves, including the Laurie couple’s ties to Henderson, Nevada, and Apostolopoulos’s previous interest in the Charlotte Hornets.

Key facts

The NBA will choose a Las Vegas expansion franchise bid in the very near future. (bleacherreport.com)
Three finalist groups are Laurie, Apostolopoulos/Lasry, and Foley/Colangelo. (bleacherreport.com)
The franchise and new arena are expected to sell for $12‑13 billion. (nypost.com)