In the coming years, Las Vegas will become a world benchmark in sports. After the (forced) landing of F1 and success in two of the four major North American leagues (NFL and NHL), everything seems to indicate that it will be basketball Next we arrive at “Sin City”.
It was only a matter of time before the NBA expanded the league with two new teams, one in Seattle and the other in Las Vegas; For economic reasons, the latter is the main target of competition. Big things are brewing in Nevada, and big stars don’t want to miss the train and are already dreaming of becoming part of a new team as shareholders. Which celebrities can bid?
Two of the NBA’s biggest icons
LeBron James has been the most vocal on the issue. The current Los Angeles Laker and one of the best players in history has expressed his desire to participate in this “macro project” on multiple occasions. The business side of things is nothing new for the Akron native, who owns stakes in companies like Blaze Pizza, Fenway Sports Group, SpringHill Entertainment and more and is as adept and effective in the office as he is on the field. “It’s just a matter of time and I hope to be a part of it” LeBron responded when asked about the NBA’s expansion to Las Vegas.
Another contender for Nevada ownership is Shaquille O’Neal, another NBA icon in the ’90s and early 2000s. The former center for teams like the Lakers and Orlando has claimed to be ready to lead the NBA’s expansion, with some believing to be “throwing” other candidates like LeBron James: “If an NBA team is coming here, I definitely want to be a part of it. With LeBron, without LeBron, I want to be a part of it.” The two were teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers and could now share business in the future.
‘Threat’ from Qatar and Saudi Arabia
It is no longer surprising to see these two protagonists in the world of sports. Qatar will host the World Cup in 2022 and Saudi Arabia in 2034. It is difficult for the two giants to compete on an economic level, and the NBA is the target of both parties.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh bin Hamad Al Thani and Mubadala’s head of operations Khaldoon Al Mubarak have a keen interest in basketball. According to people familiar with the matter. They are actively considering the possibility of getting involved in the sport, but so far it has not been a subject of investment for them.
It’s important to stress that the value of the NBA’s 30 teams continues to rise, becoming a magnet for foreign investment. The value of the franchise has increased significantly, reaching levels that are difficult to match. Just a few months ago, Matt Ishbia purchased a majority stake in the Phoenix Suns for $4 billion, marking a historic sale in the sports arena.
Boxing joins bid
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Two of the most successful boxers of the past decade have also repeatedly expressed interest in becoming NBA shareholders. According to reports from the United States, Floyd has offered $2 billion to acquire a league team in the past, thereby becoming the majority shareholder. That way your hands won’t shake when it comes to the possibilities in Las Vegas. Pacquiao is a regular in the best basketball league in the world, so it would be no surprise to see him interested in this move.
These are just some of the people who have spoken out on the matter. There is no set date for NBA expansion, but the two sides appear to be getting closer. Sooner or later, Las Vegas will be able to field a basketball team at the highest level.