The NBA and NBPA are currently finalizing the details of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and should be done anytime soon. It is expected to include an expansion bidding where Seattle will be one of the cities to bid for a new team.
Back in 2008, the NBA was forced to relocate the defunct Seattle SuperSonics franchise to Oklahoma City because they were not able to build a new arena. It's still the same thorn on the city's side as the construction of possibly their team's home court remains the biggest hurdle to their bid. Simply put, if they do not present a new one, they won't have a professional basketball team.
The competition in landing an NBA expansion team is expected to be tough as there are other cities that will also make their bid. According to an article made by Kevin Nesgoda of SB Nation's Sonics Rising, there are nine others in contention:
“I’ve heard that once the CBA is finished, the expansion bidding could be announced as soon as December or as late as the All-Star Game in February. There are going to be numerous other cities competing with Seattle to get the expansion franchises as well. I do not know if there is just going to be one slot or two. Other cities I’ve heard that are going to be making a play for expansion are Louisville (they have all their affairs in order and ready to go), Pittsburgh, Omaha, Las Vegas, Vancouver, BC, and Mexico City. Kansas City and St. Louis have been brought up as well, but I can’t confirm the validity of their interest.”
Having an NBA team in the past will be an advantage for Seattle. They have the capability of building a new arena, similar to what they have done for the city's other professional sports teams like the Mariners and Seahawks, and their fans have been longing for an NBA team for quite some time already. But it will all boil down to their City Council's willingness to vote for the start of the construction of a new arena in Occidental Avenue.
Follow Us
Subscribe