Three groups left in the Las Vegas race
The NBA has cut its Las Vegas expansion field to three finalists, ESPN reported Tuesday. A winner could be named soon, with formal approval expected before the end of the year.
The finalists: Nancy Walton Laurie and Bill Laurie; Steve Apostolopoulos and Marc Lasry; and Bill Foley and Jerry Colangelo. The league is aiming for a 2028-29 launch for new teams in both Las Vegas and Seattle.
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Who is behind each bid
Bill Laurie used to own the NHL’s St. Louis Blues. His wife Nancy is the daughter of Walmart co-founder James “Bud” Walton, and her cousin Rob Walton is the principal owner of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.
Apostolopoulos has chased team ownership before without closing a deal, falling short on the Ottawa Senators and the Washington Commanders. Lasry was a co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks from 2014 to 2023.
Colangelo owned the Phoenix Suns for years and carries Basketball Hall of Fame credentials. Foley is the majority owner of the Vegas Golden Knights and has been openly pushing to bring the NBA to town.
The arena question
T-Mobile Arena, where the Golden Knights play, could host an NBA team on a temporary basis. If Foley and Colangelo win, reporting says a new arena would be built. Foley’s hockey team opened its own season Tuesday night with a 5-2 win over Chicago, with Jack Eichel producing a goal and two assists.
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