The NBA is planning to expand its business, and Seattle and Las Vegas are looking like the preferred destinations. It’s been a long time coming, and a 32-team expansion has been in many people’s minds these past few years. This NBA expansion, incidentally, could impact LeBron James’ career, where he extends his playing days in Vegas or somewhere else, or perhaps transitions into being a coach, an executive, or, even better, a team owner.
The league’s leadership, incidentally, would be putting NBA expansion to a vote very soon as the Board of Governors will be holding meetings on March 24 and 25 to discuss this plan in detail.
LeBron James, LeOWNER
Back in 2021, LeBron James publicly announced his desire to “own” an NBA team someday, saying that it’s always been his goal—to run a business in the league and own an NBA franchise in the near future.
Well, that is certainly not far-fetched if the expansion indeed comes to fruition.
Throughout his career, LBJ has amassed roughly more than $1 billion in earnings as a professional athlete, celebrity, business owner, and investor.
Finances aside, James believes he’s got the knack for building a great team and the culture to win. Interestingly, LeBron becoming an owner, and a potentially good one, could perhaps double as a slight jab at Michael Jordan, who never found success as the Charlotte Hornets’ majority stakeholder from 2010 until 2023.
Despite his underwhelming stint as an owner, Jordan was still able to get the bag by selling his shares for $3 billion, more than ten times the $275 million valuation he paid in 2010.
NBA Expansion Will Prove Expensive for Anyone
However, for LeBron James, it might take more than just a billion dollars for him to be able to purchase an NBA team. Reports suggest that if an NBA expansion pushes through, Vegas or Seattle might end up on the block with upwards of a $10 billion price tag.
Will LeBron end his NBA career as a celebrated athlete, or will he stay longer as a retired player in the front office?
The possible NBA expansion might make either or both a possibility—regardless of what Mr. James is saying now.
