NBA Expansion: LeBron James Targeting Ownership Of Las Vegas Basketball Team

LeBron James wants to own an NBA team, and he seems to have his sights on an expansion franchise. On the latest episode of “The Shop,” the Los Angeles Lakers star explained his plan to buy a team that plays in Las Vegas.

James already has part-ownership of multiple professional sports franchises as a partner of Fenway Sports Group. In addition to his stakes in the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, James intends to lead an NBA team.

“I want to buy a team,” James said. “I want a team in Vegas.”

Speaking It Into Existence! https://t.co/ARRiTp43cx
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 9, 2022

It’s been rumored that Las Vegas and Seattle are the leading candidates to get teams if the league expands from 30 to 32 teams. Before the start of the 2022 NBA Finals, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters that the league would eventually expand, but “not at this moment.”

Still one of the NBA’s best players, James isn’t ready to retire and buy a team just yet. His transition from player to owner, however, might be closer than some realize.

“My goal is to own a team, own an NBA team,” James said last year when he joined Fenway Sports Group. “I got so much to give to the game. I know what it takes to win at this level. I know talent. I also know how to run a business, as well. And so, that is my goal. My goal is to own an NBA franchise, and it will be sooner than later.”

Between James’ latest comments and other rumors about his future ownership, the idea that James might buy an NBA team in Las Vegas appears to be a very realistic one.

From today’s BS Podcast: Why I believe the NBA is going to expand to Vegas and Seattle sooner than later, and why I believe LeBron will be part of the Vegas ownership group when it happens.pic.twitter.com/gBc5W3ixle
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 28, 2022

In February, basketball pundit Bill Simmons speculated on his podcast that the NBA would expand to Las Vegas and Seattle. Simmons even said that Fenway Sports Group would be the leading contender to own the Las Vegas team, suggesting that James would be the “point man” of the franchise.

James has one year left on his contract with the Lakers. He’s expressed a desire to play alongside his son, Bronny, who will become draft-eligible in 2024.

James’ net worth recently reached $1 billion, according to Forbes.