NBA expansion talk has heated up again, especially following the earth-shattering $10 billion sale of the Los Angeles Lakers, a figure that stunned the basketball world and injected fresh urgency into adding new franchises. But if there’s one man seemingly standing in the way of that future, according to veteran NBA analyst Bill Simmons, it’s none other than New York Knicks owner James Dolan.

On The Bill Simmons Podcast, during a conversation with Chris Mannix, the two discussed the inevitability of NBA expansion and the surprising resistance it’s facing.

Chris Mannix: "We're going to get two expansion teams probably in the next three years. I think the NBA is going to step on the gas with the expansion now that the Lakers sold for ten billion dollars."

Bill Simmons: "You know who's roadblocking them right now? James Dolan. He's got a little cabal of anti-expansion owners just because doesn't want it. He doesn't want to share the media rights."

Chris Mannix: "James Dolan doesn't want to share anything. He votes no at every single Board of Governors meeting. Go back and look at some of these meetings, like, how many of them are twenty-nine to one?"

That statement sent a ripple through NBA media circles. While Dolan has long been a controversial figure among fans, Simmons’ revelation pulls the curtain back on what may be happening behind closed doors at NBA Board of Governors meetings.

According to both Simmons and Mannix, Dolan has been a consistent “no” vote on major league initiatives, including past budgets and revenue-sharing proposals, and frequently sends representatives instead of attending meetings himself.

This aligns with Dolan’s recent track record. In September 2024, he sent a letter to the league vehemently opposing the NBA’s new $76 billion media rights agreement, citing what he claimed was an “unfair distribution” of revenue that hurt larger-market teams like the Knicks.

He’s also gone on record criticizing how local TV partners are being pushed aside in favor of consolidated national media deals. And now, according to Simmons, Dolan fears expansion would further dilute the pot.

Adding two new franchises, widely expected to be the resurrection of the Seattle SuperSonics and a new Las Vegas team, would bring more revenue upfront via expansion fees.

But it would also mean dividing media rights, merchandise, and sponsorship revenue among 32 instead of 30 teams. That’s something Dolan, reportedly worth over $2 billion and fiercely protective of his franchise’s financial clout, wants no part of.

Despite Dolan’s resistance, momentum for expansion is growing. Reports from ESPN and The Athletic indicate that many owners see expansion as a one-time financial windfall, potentially up to $400 million per franchise, and an inevitable step given the NBA’s global growth and increasing team valuations.

Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly acknowledged discussions are ongoing, though he’s stopped short of confirming a timeline.

Still, Dolan’s resistance is a reminder that expansion, like everything in the NBA, isn’t just about fans and basketball. It’s a boardroom battle over power, revenue, and control. And if Simmons is right, one man in New York may be the reason Seattle and Las Vegas are still waiting.

Whether Dolan’s influence holds or the owners override him, one thing is clear, the fight for NBA expansion isn’t just about growing the game. It’s about who gets a piece of the pie. And James Dolan, as always, doesn’t want to share his slice.

GustavBahler wrote:Seattle needs a team. They’ve been waiting since they lost the Sonics.

I used to live in Seattle they have moved on. The Seahawks in the city after that it’s the MLS team the sounders.

KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:

Philc1 wrote:Even if this is true I would agree with Dolan. There’s way too many teams already the talent in the league is watered down. We don’t need a team in London just play more games exhibition or regular season overseas and have the all star game in Europe and Asia

Great idea! Having the allstar game abroad might attract more attntion and revive the game again.

I would watch an all star game in Tokyo or Beijing.

Philc1 wrote:

Nalod wrote:

Philc1 wrote:Even if this is true I would agree with Dolan. There’s way too many teams already the talent in the league is watered down. We don’t need a team in London just play more games exhibition or regular season overseas and have the all star game in Europe and Asia

The last 7 MVP's are not American. the game is global. The "Watered down" thing you mention is from the 1990's when the Bulls were distinctly better than rest of the league which was deemed diluted from the last 4 teams they expanded from.
Now you have many top players from other country's.

As for Expansion into Europe, that is working itself and not something that is imminent. The demographics one need look at would be perhaps soccer/football that has so many teams and leagues around the world. No doubt more popular than Basketball but over the last 30 years thru the fall of the iron curtain look at the players from eastern Europe that are not in the NBA and thriving? The initiatives in Africa are vastly feeding players not just in Europe but now the NBA. The question is can this surging talent pool back fill new teams over time? The G League was installed and funded by NBA teams to cultivate talent and opportunities. This is very different and years in the making.

PhilC, I recall a few years ago you went off off on Knicks playing in London and how stupid it was to have a 3pm starting time with that "no wonder why Silver can't sell...."! This until someone reminded you there was a time difference.

Im not here to tell or anyone is there is or not a diluted talented base or not but I won't accept lazy ass posters who can't at least ask the proper questions let alone look at it with some curiosity as most of you do. NBA as a business has thrived beyond logic the last 25 years and beyond and I'd think they employ enough intelligence to satisfy a building a business model that would include a long term perspective. Not a knee jerk response.

The demise of cable is why Dolan diversified years ago from cable model and why many outlets are in bankruptcy over the last few years. The failed given the changing ways people get their content. That he had the biggest market and now lost that advantage must rub him raw. 29-1. It is understandable from his perspective from financial view.

Allstar game in other markets is really a great idea actually while the league exposes expansion into those markets. nobody watches it here and that might create more excitement given how many players are from there now and are Allstars. Is that dilution or just change?

And a bunch of mlb all stars are from central and South America yet no expansion teams in Venezuela or Mexico City. Find something else to do a stream of consciousness about.

No doubt this is wasted on yours.