NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirms secret bidding war for Seattle SuperSonics expansion team

The fight to bring the NBA back to Seattle is more crowded than anyone knew.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Tuesday that multiple private groups are competing to land an expansion franchise in Seattle, even though only one ownership group has gone public with its bid. The confirmation came during a press conference following a two-day NBA Board of Governors meeting.

“I wouldn’t conclude that because there aren’t other public groups coming forward, that therefore there isn’t other interest in Seattle,” Silver said. “There is.”

Until now, the only known bidder for a Seattle team was a group led by Seattle Kraken chair Samantha Holloway, who runs One Roof Sports and Entertainment. Her group hired JPMorgan Chase and Moelis & Co. in May to help structure a formal bid. Holloway’s group also holds a majority stake in Climate Pledge Arena, which would serve as the home court for a returning Sonics franchise.

But Silver made clear Holloway’s group isn’t bidding alone.

Who else is bidding on a Seattle NBA team?

Silver wouldn’t name names, but said most groups interested in Seattle have chosen to stay out of the spotlight.

“Most of the groups that are interested have not been public,” Silver said. “Any group that’s chosen to be public is their decision.”

That’s a significant shift. Just last week, reports suggested Seattle’s expansion bid was lagging behind Las Vegas, where at least five groups had publicly entered the race. The apparent lack of Seattle competition had raised concerns that the city might not generate the bidding war the NBA wants. Silver’s comments suggest those concerns were overblown.

What the NBA is looking for beyond price

Silver said the league’s two days of discussions went beyond just how much each group is willing to pay. The NBA’s outside banker, Paul Taubman of PJT Partners, briefed the Board of Governors on the overall process.

“Price is one component, but I think there was as much interest in who the groups would be, what the overall composition of ownership, and of course, where they would play,” Silver said.

That last point gives Holloway’s group a built-in advantage. Climate Pledge Arena already has rooms designated as NBA locker rooms, a sign of how long she’s been preparing. Any rival bidder would need to answer the arena question, and building a new venue in Seattle comes with its own headaches.

When Seattle will know about the SuperSonics’ future

Silver said he’s still confident the league can wrap up the expansion process by the end of 2026.

“I’m still hopeful that this process would be wrapped up by year-end, and I feel we’re very much on track,” Silver said.

The NBA Board of Governors voted unanimously in March to explore expansion exclusively in Seattle and Las Vegas. The league is targeting the 2028-29 season for any new teams to begin play, and the expansion fee is expected to fall in the $7 billion to $10 billion range.

Charlie Harger is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and commentaries here. Follow Charlie on X and email him here. 

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