Ferguson remains ‘optimistic’ Sonics will return ahead of meeting with NBA commissioner - The Spokesman-Review

By Google News Sports · 2026-11-04T23:59:00+01:00

OLYMPIA – Gov. Bob Ferguson will again meet with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday afternoon as Seattle investors continue efforts to bring the Sonics back to the city.

“I still remain optimistic. I follow the same news that you do, you know, about what’s going on with Las Vegas and Seattle,” Ferguson said during a press conference at the state Capitol.

In March, the league’s board of governors voted unanimously to explore expansion in Las Vegas and Seattle, with both teams potentially taking the court for the 2028-29 season. The league also retained an investment bank to evaluate the markets, arenas, potential ownership groups and other economic factors.

Should Seattle and Las Vegas join the league, the NBA would expand from 30 to 32 teams. An expansion team is reportedly expected to pay between $7 billion and $10 billion to join the league.

Silver has said the league hopes to resolve the expansion discussion by the end of the year. In March, Silver said there’s “absolutely a chance” that expansion does not occur, or could only occur in one city.

The virtual meeting between Silver and Ferguson is at least the third so far this year.

Following his previous discussions, Ferguson said in his conversations with Silver, he has tried to convey the interest and excitement the city and region still have for the team.

“What I do know is, Seattle has a deep history here with Sonics basketball. I lived it as a kid, living close to the old coliseum,” Ferguson said Wednesday. “And look, I think fans and NBA players across the country understand that really NBA basketball needs to return to Seattle.”

Ferguson said Wednesday an offer put forward by Seattle investors is “strong” and that the city checks “each and every box that the NBA could possibly hope for.”

“My…

Originally published by Google News Sports