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"I would love to bring a team here at some point," he told
reporters after scoring 23 points in the Los Angeles Lakers'
loss to the Phoenix Suns in a preseason game played Wednesday
night in Las Vegas.
And he addressed commissioner Adam Silver, who was not in Las
Vegas, directly.
"He probably sees every single interview and transcript that
comes through from NBA players," James said. "So, I want the
team here, Adam. Thank you."
This isn't the first time James has linked potential future
ownership and Las Vegas. He talked about expanding his sports
ownership portfolio in June on an episode of his show, "The
Shop: Uninterrupted."
He is a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC.
James, 37, is entering his 20th NBA season. In August, he signed
a $97.13 million extension with the Lakers that runs through the
2024-25 season. He cannot have an ownership interest in an NBA
club until he retires, by league rule.
In June, Silver addressed the potential of expansion beyond 30
teams. While he said it currently isn't on the table, he added
that Las Vegas and Seattle would be desirable locations down the
road.
"Those are wonderful markets," Silver said. "We were in Seattle.
I'm sorry we are no longer there. We have a WNBA team in Seattle
in an almost brand-new building that's doing spectacular. And
Las Vegas ... has shown itself to be a great sports market as
well."
James has a net worth of $1 billion, according to Forbes, so
he'd need to join an ownership group to buy an NBA team. The
Suns, currently for sale, are expected to change hands for more
than the record $2.35 billion that Joe Tsai paid to buy the
Brooklyn Nets in 2019, Sports Illustrated reported Wednesday.
--Field Level Media
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