Seattle's NBA Expansion Hopes Take a Hit as New Suitor Emerges

Talks of bringing the NBA back to Seattle have been ongoing for years, ever since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. The franchise spent 40 years in Seattle, won a championship in 1979, and built one of the most passionate fan bases in basketball. It's a shame the league had to move on to begin with.

But things have picked up over the last couple of years, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver saying the league would decide in 2026 whether to move forward. And in March, the NBA's Board of Governors formally approved exploring expansion into Seattle and Las Vegas.

Climate Pledge Arena has already been renovated to accommodate an NBA team, and Seattle has been widely considered a top option given its strong local economy, corporate base, and potential ownership groups. Add in over four decades of history with the league, and an established fan base and demand, and Seattle getting back an NBA team makes too much sense.

However, a new report from ESPN's Brian Windhorst has added an unexpected twist. According to Windhorst, Silver has informed team owners that Seattle is no longer considered a lock for an NBA franchise. Mexico City has emerged as a potential alternative, although the report suggests the league could be using the city as a "stalking horse" to pressure Seattle's bidding group into making a more aggressive offer.

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This isn't the first time Mexico City has been floated as a potential expansion option. The NBA has played regular-season games there for decades, and now has a G League team based there with the Mexico City Capitanes. The league has invested in developing basketball talent through NBA Academy Latin America as well. Mexico City is also home to more than 21 million people, making it one of the most populated cities in the world.

However, it's worth noting that the NBA remains focused on Seattle and Las Vegas, and Windhorst still believes Seattle will get a team. The latest report is likely more about negotiating leverage than a genuine change in direction. But it does send a clear message to the ownership group that they will need to improve their offer if they want to bring basketball back to Seattle.

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