NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Tuesday night that multiple private groups are competing to land an expansion franchise in Seattle, even though only one ownership group has publicly declared its bid — a revelation that fundamentally changes the narrative around Seattle's expansion picture.

Speaking after a two-day NBA Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas during Summer League, Silver addressed the apparent lack of competition in Seattle head-on.

"Most of the groups that are interested have not been public," Silver said. "Any group that's chosen to be public is their decision. I wouldn't conclude that because there aren't other public groups coming forward that therefore there isn't other interest in Seattle. There is."

Until now, the only known bidder for a Seattle team was the group led by Seattle Kraken chair Samantha Holloway, who runs One Roof Sports and Entertainment. Holloway's group hired JPMorgan Chase and Moelis & Co. in May to help structure a formal bid and holds a majority stake in Climate Pledge Arena — the would-be home court for a returning Sonics franchise.

But Silver's comments make clear that Holloway isn't bidding in a vacuum.

What the NBA Is Really Looking For

Silver said the league's two days of discussions went well beyond price. The NBA's outside banker, Paul Taubman of PJT Partners, briefed the Board of Governors on the overall state of the process.

"Price is one component, but I think there was as much interest in who the groups would be, what the overall composition of ownership, and of course, where they would play," Silver said.

That last point gives Holloway's group a structural advantage. Climate Pledge Arena already has rooms designated as NBA locker rooms — a sign of how long she's been preparing. Any rival bidder would need to answer the arena question separately, and building a new venue in Seattle would push total costs well past $10 billion.

Timeline Still on Track

Silver reiterated his confidence that the expansion process will be resolved before the end of 2026. The next scheduled Board of Governors meeting is in September, which is expected to be the next major update point.

"I'm still hopeful this process would be wrapped up by year-end and I still feel we are very much on track," Silver said.

The NBA Board of Governors voted unanimously in March to explore expansion exclusively in Seattle and Las Vegas. The league is targeting the 2028-29 season for any new teams to begin play, with the expansion fee expected to fall in the $7 billion to $10 billion range.