The NBA’s expansion process for a new Las Vegas franchise is moving toward its conclusion, and a clear leader has emerged. A source familiar with the bid said the group led by Nancy Walton Laurie, her husband Bill Laurie, and Silver Lake co‑CEO and Raiders minority owner Egon Durban is the heavy favorite to secure the team.
The Walton Laurie‑Durban consortium brings a combined net worth of more than $20 billion and strong local ties – Walton Laurie has lived in Henderson for several years and Durban holds a 22 percent stake in the Raiders. Their financial clout and regional connections place them ahead of the two other finalist groups.
The remaining contenders include a partnership of Golden Knights owner Bill Foley with former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, and a group featuring former Milwaukee Bucks co‑owner Marc Lasry and Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos. Potential arena sites under discussion range from a location near Allegiant Stadium to the North Strip, where Resorts World has shown interest, the former Wet ’n’ Wild property beside the Sahara, and land behind the Convention Center’s West Hall. “The site … is one of the sites that’s been put forward,” said Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority president and CEO Steve Hill. “It’s a beautiful location. That’s one that has come up, amongst others.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league expects to pick a winner for both the Las Vegas and Seattle expansions before the end of the year, with the new franchises potentially beginning play in the 2028‑29 season. Seattle’s team would call the renovated Climate Pledge Arena home.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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