Holloway Expressed Optimism for Seattle NBA Return
The One Roof Sports and Entertainment leader shared her outlook on potential league expansion to the city.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Basketball
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Managing partner Samantha Holloway recently signaled optimism about the possibility of an NBA franchise returning to Seattle. Her comments coincide with the league evaluating expansion sites, including Seattle and Las Vegas.
Why it matters
The NBA views expansion as a key growth strategy, with leadership aiming to solidify their plans by the end of the year. This process involves multiple rounds of competitive bidding to determine the future footprint of the league.
The NBA identifies Seattle and Las Vegas as the primary candidates for potential franchise expansion. The league has utilized a multi-round bidding process to evaluate these sites through owners meetings and formal submissions.
The players
Samantha Holloway
She serves as the managing partner of One Roof Sports and Entertainment and oversees major Seattle sports assets.
Adam Silver
He is the Commissioner of the NBA and oversees the league's strategic growth and expansion initiatives.
One Roof Sports and Entertainment
This organization owns and manages the Seattle Kraken professional hockey team and Climate Pledge Arena.
The details
Samantha Holloway, who oversees Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken, discussed the expansion landscape at the VenuesNow Conference. The league's decision-making process reached a notable milestone recently with the collection of second-round bids for Las Vegas franchises.
Timeline
March 2026: NBA identifies Seattle and Las Vegas as expansion possibilities.
Early September 2026: NBA owners meet in New York to discuss league growth.
Mid-September 2026: The deadline passes for a second round of Las Vegas expansion bids.
September 29, 2026: Samantha Holloway speaks at the VenuesNow Conference.
End of 2026: The NBA is expected to reach a final decision on expansion.
Season Trajectory
The potential return of a team to Seattle follows the structure set by the NBA's expansion decision process. This development marks a significant step in the league's long-term competitive balance strategy.
The expansion process will determine if Seattle returns to the NBA map, effectively ending a long-standing vacancy in the city's professional sports landscape. Fans and stakeholders are currently awaiting the league's final evaluation of the competitive bids submitted this year.
The takeaway
The move toward expansion highlights the high stakes of professional sports real estate and venue ownership in major markets. Residents should monitor the league's year-end announcement for clarity on whether the city will secure a new franchise.
What happens next
The NBA is expected to finalize its decision regarding expansion teams by the end of 2026.
Further reading
For more background on the league's presence in the region, visit the Seattle Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Spokesman Review.
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