“I’m sorry, but it doesn’t come with a franchise.” Adam Silver cheekily remarked while presenting LeBron James with the NBA Cup MVP trophy. Back in October 2023, the Lakers won the inaugural in-season tournament, and the league Commissioner thought it was the perfect time to take a lighthearted jab at his biggest superstar. However, the King’s desire to own an NBA team has increased with time! And it’s safe to say the hoops legend won’t sit in silence unless he gets what’s eyeing.

One city has become the NBA’s favorite ground for action. On the other hand, another city, although it lost its team and spark, has never lost its love for the games. Cookie points for you if you’ve already guessed Las Vegas and Seattle. It’s no secret that LeBron James has an undying love for Sin City. It’s also not a secret that the 39-year-old dreams of owning an NBA franchise in Vegas.

New rumors suggest LeBron James could get massive help in bringing the NBA to Vegas

“I would love to bring a team here at some point, that would be amazing,” he said in October 2022 after playing a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “It’s the best fan base in the world and I would love to bring a team here.”

Two years later, with labor peace assured through 2030 and a massive $76 billion TV deal, the hoops league is looking ahead for bigger things. The first idea on the plate is expansion. Of course, Bron would be the happiest person to know that his dream of acquiring a franchise could turn into reality sometime in the future.

But of course, the LA Lakers star has to wait for his retirement to get his own franchise. Meanwhile, Las Vegas seems to be one of the favorites for getting an NBA team. Thus fueling the NBA icon’s ambition. Moreover, the 39-year-old might have found support for his dreams. LeBron James is eyeing Las Vegas for his NBA ownership dream, and he’s not alone.

Backed by Fenway Sports Group (popular for owning Boston Red Sox & Liverpool and RedBird Capital, who are AC Milan’s owners, the King has some serious muscle behind him! Although FSG declined to comment on any expansion-related talks, Bloomberg confirmed that an individual familiar with the matter said James “continues to be interested and in discussion with his partners at Fenway about the opportunity.”

Reposting the same, reporter Evan Sidery also affirmed, “James would become the majority owner of the Las Vegas expansion franchise, which is likely to arrive by the end of this decade.”

But of course, nothing comes easy in the grueling world of the NBA. Of course, James’ ambitions have competition before him. And they aren’t small names, the likes of Bill Foley, the owner of the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights is willing to go all-out in the bidding wars.

King James’ vision has two major roadblocks

“We have a very powerful group — I can tell you money is not a problem,” Foley said. He added that his group includes “several well-known basketball players and a couple very wealthy people, people who can buy me and sell me 20 times over.”

On the other hand, the former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry is also weighing on a bid for a potential Las Vegas franchise, as a part of a group that includes the ex-WNBA star Candace Parker. “The team in Vegas could end up being one of the most profitable teams,” Lasry said in an interview. “It was hard to make money in Milwaukee. We got exceptionally lucky in that we drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo, but I think you need to be in a city where irrespective of how good the team is, you can make money.” 

Dec 6, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in overtime at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Another key issue in this expansion saga is figuring out the home arena for this new franchise. Is T-Mobile Arena an option? It certainly would be the easiest one, wouldn’t it? Bear in mind that Foley’s Knights group co-owns the same… Another option could be the $10 billion real estate project that’s being planned by Oak View Group, which would also have a brand-new $2 billion arena.

So, LeBron James isn’t the only one inclined towards Las Vegas. Bigger names in business and sports are willing to give it all to acquire a franchise in the US casino capital. But as of now, it’s a plan or rather a speculation, and only the future will tell us what’s going to happen. Until then, hold on!