It’s been three months since the NBA officially began exploring Las Vegas as a potential location for an expansion franchise.
Considering the long-standing buzz about the NBA joining the NFL, NHL, WNBA, and MLB (whose Athletics are scheduled to move in 2028) in establishing a Vegas residency, the question is where the team would play and who might spearhead the group that would own it. Several reports have revealed numerous interested ownership groups and arena sites throughout the valley.
While T-Mobile Arena is an adequate arena, sharing the building with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights could be out of the question if an ownership group wants its own home to go along with what one would assume a first-class training facility, much like the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces has in nearby Henderson. Such sites are scattered and are mere suggestions at this point, and won’t be confirmed until an actual ownership group is named.
Which leaves the question: Who would make a great owner of an NBA franchise in Las Vegas?
Here are three names to consider:
These stories of Mark Davis embracing members of Aces history are really cool. He’s building a welcoming culture for this franchise. pic.twitter.com/55Yo2efXwk
— WNBA Lead (@WNBALead) July 10, 2021
Mark Davis, Las Vegas Aces/Raiders principal owner
With two professional teams in Las Vegas already, it seems obvious for Davis to throw his hat in the ring.
Davis relocated the NFL’s Raiders from Oakland in 2020 before buying the WNBA’s Aces the year after. Before the Raiders arrived, however, the organization began its grass-roots efforts, hoping to establish a relationship throughout the community. From high school sports to feeding families on Thanksgiving, the Raiders were entrenched in the community by the time they arrived. Those efforts carried over to the Aces, who have become a beloved sports team and fan favorite for many. They, too, have found their way into the community, giving back in every way possible.
As for the on-court product, the Aces have won three of the last four WNBA championships. That’s a yield of Davis putting together the right team to run the operation. The Raiders have had a bit more difficulty, but are hoping first-year coach Klint Kubiak and first-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will provide the fresh start the organization needs.
The Case For Davis
The 71-year-old’s interest in the WNBA started before he bought the team, as a season-ticket holder. Before he bought the team, he held a private meeting with franchise face A’ja Wilson to gauge her thoughts on what she felt was needed and if he could be a good fit. He took a vested interest in what the world’s greatest women’s basketball player needed and took it all into consideration. The proof is in the results.
By taking the same approach on the men’s side of things, there’s no reason to believe he wouldn’t be successful. Lest we forget, Tom Brady has minority ownership in both franchises and could very well be willing to lend his name to an NBA team.
Before Vegas’ first season in 2017, owner Bill Foley said he expected the Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup in six years.
Last night they won the Cup in their sixth season of existence
pic.twitter.com/7cS8tgRm2e
— ESPN (@espn) June 14, 2023
Bill Foley, Vegas Golden Knights owner/Fidelity National Investments chairman
The founder and majority owner of the NHL’s Golden Knights has already said he is pursuing the award of an NBA franchise for Las Vegas. In doing so, he’s retained Morgan Stanley & Co, LLC as his exclusive financial advisor in an effort to structure an ownership platform in conjunction with his current Southern Nevada sports holdings.
Foley has the foundation in place for this venture with the Knights, who have been to three Stanley Cup Finals in the organization’s first nine years of existence. That includes a championship in 2023 and they won the West for a third time earlier this spring. He also has venue rights at T-Mobile Arena. That would eliminate the need to provide a home for a team that could start in time for the 2028 season.
The Case For Foley
Foley said his group would move in accordance with the league’s timeline and on terms set by the league and its Board of Governors. He expects an ownership “group to include a limited number of strategic and minority partners, selected for alignment with the franchise’s long-term vision and for their fit under league ownership policy.”
“Las Vegas has earned its place among the great sports cities in America, and an NBA team belongs here,” Foley said via press release. “We built the Golden Knights into a championship organization from the ground up, and we are prepared to do it again with the same standard, the same commitment to this community, and the same insistence on winning.”
“We have the market, a proven world-class arena, and a best-in-class organization in place. Our intention is to be ready the day the NBA is ready.”
Foley is a proven winner who knows what it takes to not just build a successful professional sports franchise. He’s also well-versed how to become a part of the community. Foley has said he would erect a “dedicated NBA practice and player-health campus anchored by an integrated medical partner, and the integration of media, sponsorship, and premium-experience programs across the combined sports enterprise.” Like Davis, Foley has vested interests in more than one sport. His properties include the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, the Vegas Knight Hawks of the Indoor Football League, and the English football club AFC Bournemouth. His pursuit should be well-received by the Southern Nevada community.
Dale Earnhardt Jr and Magic Johnson – Las Vegas 2007 pic.twitter.com/llQ2ckaXod
— DJ Mercure Gabriel (@Nascarpixtures) June 28, 2021
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, NBA legend/Entrepreneur
Several former NBA superstars’ names have been floated around, including Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. But the one that might make the most sense would be literally Magic.
Since retiring from the NBA, Johnson has become a successful businessperson. His portfolio now includes MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, MLS’ Los Angeles FC, and the NFL’s Washington Commanders. Johnson’s wherewithal as a professional sports owner would be attractive to would-be investors looking to partner with him. Johnson also has championships to his credit as a pro sports owner. His trophy case includes three World Series titles (2022, 2024-25), a WNBA Finals victory (2016) and an MLS Cup (2018).
The Case for Johnson
Johnson has always loved Las Vegas and would be a natural fit as an NBA owner. The proximity to Los Angeles has always made Las Vegas a home away from home for the Lakers. There are plenty of Vegas-based Lakers fans who would embrace Johnson immediately.
A bit deeper, Johnson cares about this community. After Los Angeles’ Rodney King riots, Johnson made it no secret he wanted to build businesses in Black neighborhoods. That effort extended to not just South Central Los Angeles but across the country as well. At the time, Johnson noted that championships didn’t mean a thing if he couldn’t make a difference in Black communities. What many people may not realize is that he helped fund the rebuild of Historic West Las Vegas after the riots.
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