The owners of the 30 NBA (National Basketball Association) teams have authorized US basketball leaders to begin “deep analysis” about the repercussions of expanding the number of participating franchises reported Commissioner Adam Silver.
The NBA Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday (15) in Las Vegas was the first time the owners officially addressed the issue, which has been debated for years.
Cities like Las Vegas and Seattle itself press to represent the League, although Silver warned that there is no calendar defined for a possible expansion of the number of teams.
“It was a significant step now that we commit to this deep analysis,” said the commissioner. “It’s something we weren’t prepared for before,” he added.
“But we are still on the first day of this analysis. In terms of price, possible calendar, it is still too early,” said Silver.
The leader pointed out that the subject is “really complicated”, both for economic and sports repercussions.
For example, the inclusion of more teams can dilute the league’s talent and affect competitiveness, he explained. In the economy part, it can devalue existing franchises, he added.
Silver said he did not notice at the meeting how many owners were in favor of the expansion. “There was no feeling in the room that people were taking a party.”
“There was a consensus quickly that the league administration had to do this work (…) The appetite in the room, I would define more as curiosity,” he said.
The owners also attended a presentation about the project of a European league supported by the NBA.
“There is an expansion of another type that is the European opportunity,” said Silver.
“What we are thinking of operating in Europe would be an independent league, but the fact that we create new basketball teams in Europe is related,” he explained.
