NBA star LeBron James reversed course on his hope to be part of the ownership group of a potential Las Vegas NBA expansion team.
Talking to reporters Wednesday night after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-116 win over the Houston Rockets, James was posed a question on if he was still interested in ownership of a an NBA expansion team, as the league’s board of governors is set to greenlight the exploration of Sin City and Seattle at their meetings next week in New York.
“No, I am not,” James said to the Las Vegas expansion question. “Not at all.”
James, 41, is a minority partner with Fenway Sports Group, which owns several sports franchises around the world, including the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins and Liverpool FC.
James had previously noted on multiple occasions that he wanted to be part of an ownership group of a Las Vegas NBA team.
FSG is also reportedly not interested in pursuing a Las Vegas expansion team, due to the potential cost to net the team should the NBA approve of expansion, according to the Athletic. The expansion fee is reportedly set to be in the $7 billion to $10 billion range.
Gov. Joe Lombardo has spoken with a number of ownership groups regarding Las Vegas and NBA expansion in recent weeks.
One of those groups is the MAGI, led by basketball hall of famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who met with Lombardo in February. The five-time NBA champion-turned business mogul, is set to further expansion talks with Southern Nevada civic leaders this weekend.
Golden Knights owner Bill Foley has also expressed interest in having ownership in a Las Vegas NBA expansion team. Foley said he would invest $300 million into T-Mobile Arena should his Las Vegas NBA expansion team pursuit prove successful.
Should 23 of the 30 NBA governors approve exploring Las Vegas and Seattle at the league meeting Tuesday and Wednesday, the approval to add teams in both markets could come as soon as this summer. The NBA holds board of governors meetings each July coinciding with NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
