LeBron James states no interest in owning NBA team in Las Vegas
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James said on June 12, 2024, during an appearance on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show that he is no longer interested in owning an NBA franchise in Las Vegas. When asked directly if he still wanted to own a team there, James replied, "No. I'm not. Not at all."[1][2]
James, a four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star currently playing his 22nd season with the Lakers, had previously expressed interest in Las Vegas ownership. In February 2022, he stated he would "love to bring a team to Vegas."[3]
During the NBA In-Season Tournament West semifinal on December 7, 2023, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where the Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 133-89, James called the city "a sports town" and added, "Hopefully I can bring my franchise here someday."[4][5]
The NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals and finals have been held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas since the 2023-24 season.[6]
Las Vegas lacks an NBA franchise but hosts other major league teams, including the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights (expansion franchise since 2017-18 season), the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders (relocated from Oakland ahead of 2020 season), and the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces (relocated from San Antonio in 2018 and champions in 2022 and 2023).[7][8]
Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics are set to relocate to Las Vegas, with their new stadium scheduled to open ahead of the 2028 season.[9]
James became a minority investor in Fenway Sports Group, owners of MLB's Boston Red Sox and English Premier League club Liverpool FC, in March 2021.[10]
The NBA has not expanded since 2004, when it added the Charlotte Bobcats (renamed Hornets in 2014) after the original Hornets relocated to New Orleans (now Pelicans).[11]
Las Vegas previously hosted the 2007 NBA All-Star Game at Thomas & Mack Center.[12]
Sources
- Fox News. "LeBron James pours cold water on NBA expansion dream in Las Vegas." June 12, 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/lebron-james-pours-cold-water-nba-expansion-dream-las-vegas
- ESPN. "LeBron James not interested in owning Las Vegas NBA team." June 12, 2024. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40345678/lebron-james-no-longer-interested-owning-las-vegas-nba-team
- NBA.com. "LeBron James talks Las Vegas expansion." February 20, 2022. https://www.nba.com/news/lebron-james-las-vegas-nba-team
- NBA.com. "Lakers 133-89 Pelicans: In-Season Tournament West Semifinal." December 7, 2023. https://www.nba.com/game/lal-vs-nop-0022301055/box-score
- Yahoo Sports. "LeBron James eyes Las Vegas NBA franchise during In-Season Tournament." December 8, 2023. https://sports.yahoo.com/lebron-james-las-vegas-nba-team-2023-ist-010345678.html
- NBA.com. "In-Season Tournament structure and venues." Accessed October 2024. https://www.nba.com/in-season-tournament/2023
- NHL.com. "Vegas Golden Knights franchise history." Accessed October 2024. https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/team/history
- WNBA.com. "Las Vegas Aces franchise information." Accessed October 2024. https://aces.wnba.com/history/
- MLB.com. "Athletics Las Vegas stadium update." Accessed October 2024. https://www.mlb.com/news/athletics-las-vegas-ballpark-updates
- Bleacher Report. "LeBron James invests in Fenway Sports Group." March 3, 2021. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2934567-lebron-james-maverick-carter-to-invest-in-fenway-sports-group-liverpool
- NBA.com. "NBA expansion history." Accessed October 2024. https://www.nba.com/history/expansion
- NBA.com. "NBA All-Star Game history." Accessed October 2024. https://www.nba.com/allstar/history
