NBA eyes new teams; Congress pushes sale rules
NBA owners voted to explore expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle, moving the league closer to adding new franchises in high-value markets. At the same time, Senators Sanders and Casar introduced the 'Home Team Act' to require owners to offer local buyers the first right to purchase before moving teams — a potential new constraint on relocation strategies. (opb.org, sanders.senate.gov)
All 30 NBA owners voted in favor of authorizing the league to solicit expansion bids on March 25, 2026, according to league sources and ESPN reporting. (nba.com) Multiple outlets report the league expects franchise fees in the neighborhood of $7 billion to $10 billion per team, a range flagged in NBC Sports and Bloomberg coverage of the expansion process. (nbcsports.com) League statements and reporting set a realistic target for any new-franchise debut in the 2028–29 NBA season as the Board begins soliciting ownership groups and arena plans. (usatoday.com) The Home Team Act was filed March 26, 2026 (H.R.8097) and would obligate franchise owners to provide one year’s notice before relocating across state lines or into a new Metropolitan Statistical Area while giving the local community an opportunity to purchase the team at fair market value. (congress.gov) Sen. Bernie Sanders’ press release specifies acceptable purchasers under the bill — community ownership models, government entities, nonprofits/public partnerships, or private buyers — and it also includes penalties plus a right of action for state and local governments if owners fail to comply. (sanders.senate.gov) The House version was introduced by Rep. Greg Casar with six initial House cosponsors named in the filing and Senate cosponsors listed by Sanders’ office as Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal. (congress.gov) Congressional tracking shows H.R.8097 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on March 26, 2026, where it will undergo committee review before any floor consideration. (congress.gov)
