It appears the NBA is "finally willing to take a legitimate, serious look at expansion" following Commissioner Adam Silver's comments last week, which is a "genuine cause for excitement" around Seattle, according to Larry Stone of the SEATTLE TIMES. There is "not a soul associated with the NBA" who does not believe that Seattle "won't be a the head of the list" once the NBA decides to expand. It was telling that Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, who has "long been a foe of expansion" -- he was the only owner to vote against the '04 Charlotte expansion -- "now says he’s for it." Cuban on "The Bill Simmons Podcast" said, "I don't think it’s the right time for it yet, because you couldn't get momentum in those places. But there will come a time where it will be discussed." Cuban "threw out the $3 billion number" as a possible expansion fee. Stone: "If perpetual iconoclast Mark Cuban is on board, this idea has legs." Cuban "believes it makes particular sense as the league transitions from what he calls 'traditional linear TV' to streaming and direct-to-consumer models." Stone: "Is there a potential owner willing to pony up $2 billion, or even $3 billion?" Seattle is "not short in the billionaire department," although the "biggest whale of them all, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, has not yet shown himself to be much of a sports guy." But the "beauty" of Oak View Group and its CEO Tim Leiweke building the city's Climate Pledge Arena is that they "have nationwide business connections" (SEATTLE TIMES, 12/24).
