NBA says league has toured Climate Pledge, Seattle expansion decision by end of year

by Chris Daniels , KOMO News Senior Reporter SEATTLE — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the league has had operational groups visit Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, and the league still plans on making an expansion decision by the end of 2026. His brief comments came after a two-day meeting in New York City, where league owners were briefed on the status of the expansion process. Most of Silver's comments after the long meeting concerned the punishment of Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer , who has accepted punishment over allegations he circumvented the salary cap to sign Kawhi Leonard. In March, the NBA Board of Governors approved a formal exploration of potential teams in Seattle and Las Vegas and hired investment bank PJT Partners to evaluate the markets, ownership groups, arena infrastructure and the broader economics of expansion. It was the clearest action by the league toward a Seattle return since the Supersonics left for Oklahoma City in 2008 .

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