Seattle Emerges as NBA Expansion Front-Runner With a $6 Billion Valuation
A group led by Kraken owner Samantha Holloway is a front-runner to bring the SuperSonics back, with an estimated $6 billion valuation, ESPN reports.
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Key takeaways
- ESPN reports a Seattle group led by Kraken owner Samantha Holloway is a front-runner for an NBA expansion team, valued around $6 billion by sources.
- Her company holds a majority share of Climate Pledge Arena, which already hosts the Kraken and the WNBA's Storm.
- Commissioner Adam Silver has said he hopes to resolve expansion by the end of 2026, and Las Vegas could cost over $10 billion.
- A reported Lakers valuation of $12.5 billion has fueled debate over whether big franchise prices are the new normal.
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Seattle NBA Expansion: Holloway Group Leads the SuperSonics Bid
A Seattle group led by Kraken owner Samantha Holloway has emerged as a front-runner to land an NBA expansion team, ESPN reported Friday. Sources with knowledge of the process put the valuation at about $6 billion. The group also includes Melinda French Gates and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.
Holloway's company, One Roof Sports & Entertainment, holds a majority share of Climate Pledge Arena, which hosts the Kraken and the WNBA's Seattle Storm and could be converted for NBA games. ESPN says any rival bidder would have to build an arena or negotiate with her. Former player Jamal Crawford, an adviser to the group, said the effort has failed before.
This time feels different, and I'm hoping that this is it.
Expansion Prices: Seattle, Las Vegas and the Lakers
Commissioner Adam Silver has said he hopes to have the expansion process resolved by the end of 2026, per ESPN. The report lists these reference points:
| Deal | Reported value |
|---|---|
| Seattle expansion bid (sources) | About $6 billion |
| Las Vegas expansion (could exceed) | $10 billion, plus $2 billion to $3 billion for an arena |
| Boston Celtics sale (last year) | $6.1 billion, up to $7.3 billion |
| Minnesota Timberwolves sale (last month) | $4.5 billion |
| Lakers agreed valuation | $12.5 billion |
ESPN also reports that Silver reintroduced Mexico City as a possible expansion candidate at the latest board of governors meetings.
Our Read: Why Arena Control Matters More Than the Price
- The arena is the leverage. A finished, NBA-ready building is rare. Holloway's majority stake means rivals would need her cooperation or a new arena, which is the kind of advantage that tends to decide a close race.
- Seattle looks cheaper than Las Vegas for a reason. The Las Vegas figure includes new-arena money, so the two prices are not like for like. The gap says less about the cities than about construction.
- A rival pivot could raise the price. ESPN's sources say a Las Vegas runner-up may challenge Seattle. That would push the number up, but it is a possibility, not a development.
- Evidence on valuations points both ways. The Lakers and Las Vegas prices could be outliers or a new floor. Seattle near $6 billion sits close to the recent Celtics and Timberwolves deals, which supports the cooler reading.
What to Watch in the NBA Expansion Process
- Whether a Las Vegas runner-up bids for Seattle.
- The final Las Vegas price and who wins it, with three finalists reported.
- Any formal vote timeline from the board of governors before year end.
- Whether Mexico City moves from idea to candidate.
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