LeBron James says he is no longer interested in owning an NBA team in Las Vegas

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James stated on April 24, 2024, that he was no longer interested in owning an NBA franchise in Las Vegas, telling reporters bluntly: "No, I'm not. Not at all."[1][2]

James, a 20-time NBA All-Star currently in his 22nd season with the Lakers, had expressed interest in the idea during the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament in December 2023. Following the Lakers' 133-89 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference semifinal at T-Mobile Arena on December 7, 2023, he said: "It's a perfect sports town. Hopefully one day I can bring a franchise here."[3][4]

The NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals and final have been held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas since the 2023-24 season.[5]

Las Vegas has no NBA team but hosts franchises in other leagues, including the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion team that began play in the 2017-18 season; the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders, which relocated from Oakland ahead of the 2020 season; and the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, which moved from San Antonio in 2018 and won championships in 2022 and 2023.[6] Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics have an agreement to relocate to Las Vegas, with a new ballpark scheduled to open in 2028.[7]

James has been a business partner of Fenway Sports Group since 2021. The group owns the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC of the English Premier League.[2][8] The Athletic reported that Fenway Sports Group was not interested in bidding on an NBA expansion team, citing potential franchise values as high as $7-8 billion, and a source close to James said this made his involvement less likely.[2]

The NBA's last expansion came in 2004 with the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats, which reverted to the Hornets name in 2014.[9] Las Vegas previously hosted the 2007 NBA All-Star Game.[10] Commissioner Adam Silver has identified Las Vegas as a potential expansion market, alongside Seattle.[11]

Sources

Fox News, "LeBron James backtracks on dream of owning Vegas NBA team: 'No, I'm not. Not at all'", April 25, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/lebron-james-backtracks-dream-owning-vegas-nba-team-no-not-all
The Athletic, "With Fenway Sports Group out, LeBron James’ dream of Las Vegas NBA ownership not happening, source says", April 25, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5465096/2024/04/25/lebron-james-nba-las-vegas-expansion-fenway-sports-group/
ESPN, "LeBron James hopes to bring NBA franchise to Las Vegas someday", December 7, 2023, https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38993902/lebron-james-hopes-bring-nba-franchise-las-vegas
NBA.com, "Pelicans vs Lakers Dec 7, 2023 Box Score", accessed October 2024, https://www.nba.com/game/nop-vs-lal-0022301040/box-score
NBA.com, "NBA In-Season Tournament", accessed October 2024, https://www.nba.com/in-season-tournament/2024
NHL.com / VegasGoldenKnights.com / Raiders.com / WNBA.com, Official team histories (stable facts), accessed October 2024, https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/team
MLB.com, "A's approve Las Vegas relocation", November 16, 2023, https://www.mlb.com/news/athletics-las-vegas-relocation-approved
ESPN, "LeBron James to become minority owner of Fenway Sports Group", March 29, 2021, https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31251429/lebron-james-become-minority-owner-fenway-sports-group
NBA.com, "NBA Franchise History", accessed October 2024, https://www.nba.com/history/franchises
NBA.com, "2007 NBA All-Star Game", accessed October 2024, https://www.nba.com/allstar/2007
NBA.com, "Adam Silver on expansion", February 2024 (All-Star presser), https://www.nba.com/news/adam-silver-all-star-2024-press-conference