After the shocking sale of the Los Angeles Lakers, a new rumor raises questions about the future of expansion in Las Vegas. The Lakers were sold for a record $12.5 billion and set a new standard for franchise valuations.
In fact, new Lakers owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger previously tried to buy the rights to an expansion team in Las Vegas but were priced out of doing so, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. Instead, they pivoted to the Lakers and struck a quick deal.
That hints that the Vegas franchise could have an astronomical price tag and could potentially price out ownership groups from landing the coveted expansion team.
NBA Rumors: Las Vegas NBA expansion may come with a massive price tag
The NBA is no doubt banking on ownership groups ponying up massive offers for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle. However, we are suddenly reaching the point of no return where franchises sell for increasingly shocking amounts.
If the Lakers were the cheaper option than an expansion team, then how much could a Las Vegas franchise actually cost? The consensus is that the league is seeking at least $8 billion for a team in Seattle as well as a team in Las Vegas.
But it would seemingly suggest that a Las Vegas franchise could cost at least $10 billion plus the cost of a new stadium. The more ownership changes in the near future, the more current owners will be looking to cash in on the sky-high sale prices of their franchises.
NBA Rumors: Is Las Vegas worth the expensive price tag?
If the NBA can find a buyer who's willing and able to pay at least $10 billion for a franchise in Las Vegas, they'd be foolish not to take it. Of course, it could lead to unintended consequences. Consequences such as owners selling to buyers who may have the money but don't have the capability of building a contender.
We've already seen the Portland Trail Blazers get sold to Tom Dundon, only for him to completely throw that franchise into turmoil with his cost-cutting maneuvers.
Ownership stability and willingness to spend are probably the biggest competitive advantages teams have. Having a revolving door of franchises being sold could seriously jeopardize how teams build championships.
For instance, the San Antonio Spurs have had the same ownership group for more than 30 years. They have won five championships and gone to seven NBA Finals during that span.
The goal should be stability, not selling teams to the highest bidder for record profits multiple times a decade. Ultimately, if an ownership group is willing to spend for a team in Las Vegas, it's going to happen. However, it could spell trouble for the NBA going forward.
Add us as a preferred source on Google