LeBron James' hopes of owning an NBA franchise in Las Vegas could be on ice .
The 39-year-old has mentioned in the past how he is very interested in bringing professional basketball to Nevada. However, Fenway Sports Group's (FSG) principal owner John Henry , with whom James is a partner, explained how the group is not looking to expand at this time.
Of note, FSG is putting its focus on its Premier League, motorsports, baseball and other avenues, rather than an NBA franchise. Speaking with The Boston Globe , Henry explained what could be next for the group, though he kept his thoughts vague.
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"It means that we’re not looking to grow at this point," Henry said. "I hate to say that on the record, but we’ve got our hands full with Boston, Liverpool, this (PGA Tour golf partnership), Pittsburgh (Penguins), NASCAR, real estate."
When pressed about what that meant for James and his quest to own a basketball team - potentially on land that FSG owns - Henry explained FSG is looking into options. "We're working on a couple of things that we were working on before we got involved here," Henry continued.
"There will be other opportunities, I'm sure, that we'll look at, but we are fully engaged. We're not out there, and I think we've never seen out there, looking for opportunities."
James has been a leading voice in any potential NBA expansion. The league last expanded in 2004, with the then-Charlotte Bobcats joining the league as the 30th team. With the popularity and the profit of the league booming, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explained how the league will be looking at Seattle and out-of-country options along with Las Vegas.
“It's not preordained that we will expand this time, but I know there's an enormous amount of interest out there," said before Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals. “And to me, yes, there are wealthy individuals, institutions that would like to invest and buy NBA teams, but I think it's on the league to look holistically because there is the dilution, of course.”
As for his reasoning for picking Seattle, Las Vegas and other options, Silver said he and the league will look at markets that help expand the game's reach. To that end, James was appreciative of Silver's actions, with the latter expressing his joy at the Los Angeles Lakers star's want to own a franchise.
“I’m thrilled that LeBron aspires to be an NBA team owner one day," Silver said. "I’d say Las Vegas specifically, you know, will make a great location for a franchise one day. We have a WNBA team, there are the Aces that obviously just won the championship.”
James also explained why he is adamant in owning a franchise in Las Vegas, telling Fox News : “It’s crazy to say, but Vegas is a sports town. You look at the Aces, the hockey team, the Raiders, the A’s is coming here. Obviously, we just had F1 here... it’s a sports town. Hopefully I can bring my franchise here some day.
"They know what they’re watching, they show a lot of support, and sports is gigantic here right now. They definitely support their clubs, that’s for sure."
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