Choose Wisely: Media Markets Matter in NBA Expansion

In evaluating potential cities for NBA expansion, the size of a city's media market is crucial. Most existing teams are located in the top 50 media markets in the U.S., indicating that expansion locations should ideally fall within this range to ensure financial viability. Cities like Raleigh, Pittsburgh, and San Diego are less favorable due to either being college town-centric, having existing professional teams that saturate the market, or having already lost franchises. The remaining viable cities—Seattle, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Louisville, and Tampa—offer essential infrastructure like international airports. However, concerns exist about proximity to existing teams in neighboring markets, particularly for Tampa and Louisville, which could threaten the established franchises like the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers. Additionally, the condition of the arena in St. Louis raises questions, as it is significantly older than the modern Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, which already accommodates NHL and WNBA events.