Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently became the first active NBA player to reach a net worth of $1 billion, and another year away from the NBA Finals has allowed him to envision his next project. In the latest episode of the HBO series "The Shop: Uninterrupted," the 37-year-old reveals that he wants to own an NBA franchise, and one that plays its games... in Las Vegas.
Since there's currently no team residing in Vegas, James' goal would require league expansion, or relocation for a struggling franchise. Last week, league commissioner Adam Silver addressed the rumors of potential expansion with reporters, denying that discussions are happening at this moment. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement forbids active players from owning stake in a team. So, unless rules change, James can't pursue this like Jackie Moon.
"NBA expanding to Vegas makes a lot of sense. LeBron owning it makes a lot of sense. He'll need a few more billion," Maggie Gray said during Maggie and Perloff on Thursday. "I'm sure he'll find a way to fundraise it. He can't play and own a team at the same time... It's against the rules, as of now. But would the NBA make an exception for LeBron, considering he'd play there, and play with Bronny? You'd get immediate buzz around an expansion team..."
"I feel like that'd be a tough one. They have the CBA, where they can't give a player equity in a team. I think that'd be one they'd never touch," Perloff said. "Because if you give LeBron five-percent of a team or something, then what's to stop Joel Embiid from saying, 'Give me two-percent of the Sixers.' I'm more about the Seattle team [expansion], because I feel it's a crime they don't have a team... But [with LeBron], that's a line I can't imagine the owners crossing."
Maggie and Perloff's complete thoughts on James' desire to become an NBA owner can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Maggie and Perloff Show on Twitter @MaggieandPerl and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.