Two Lakers Legends Fight Over Vegas Expansion Team

Vegas appears to be the emerging star among sports cities. The Vegas Golden Knights have maintained competitiveness since their inaugural season in 2017, and they are the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. The Las Vegas Aces secured the WNBA Finals victory last year and are currently on track to capture their second consecutive WNBA championship.

This surge in success has cultivated a passionate fanbase in Nevada and has piqued the interest of other sports leagues. The Oakland Athletics have already sent their application to move to Sin City. This would make the NBA the sole major sports league without a team in Las Vegas, but that status may not endure for much longer.

LeBron James has expressed multiple times in the past year his desire to join an ownership group aiming to bring an NBA expansion team to Las Vegas upon his retirement. His financial capacity for such a venture is notable, as he stands as the sole active billionaire in the NBA.

However, another prominent name has entered the mix. It appears that Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal has also expressed interest in owning an NBA team in Las Vegas. Shaq recently revealed in an interview with The Messenger:




Shaquille O'Neal's Post NBA Career

Since retiring from sports, Shaquille O'Neal has kept himself remarkably busy. While many recognize him as a sports analyst on Inside the NBA, his thriving business career often goes unnoticed. O'Neal boasts a diverse portfolio, which once included ownership of up to 40 24-Hour Fitness gyms, 150 car washes, 155 Five Guys Burger & Fries outlets, 9 Papa John's franchises, 17 Auntie Anne's pretzel shops, and a handful of Krispy Kreme restaurants. Additionally, O'Neal has made strategic investments in companies like Google, Lyft Inc., Ring, and Vitamin Water, further diversifying his financial ventures.

Shaquille O'Neal has previously served as a co-owner of an NBA team when he held a stake in the Sacramento Kings back in 2013. However, he made the decision to divest his ownership in the NBA team just last year as part of a business arrangement with WynnBet and Wynn Las Vegas. Given his prior experience, there's certainly no reason to doubt his ability and willingness to pursue ownership in an NBA team once more.

How Soon Should We Expect an NBA Team in Vegas?

The NBA has already begun testing in the Las Vegas market by hosting a portion of the 2023 NBA Summer League there. Furthermore, the city is slated to be the host for the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also announced during the NBA Summer League that the league would explore the possibility of expansion after the conclusion of the next media rights agreements in 2025. The prospect of Las Vegas becoming the 14th metropolitan area with teams in all 4 major sports leagues is on the horizon. It will certainly be captivating to see who will step forward as the owner, whether it ends up being LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, or another individual entirely.

Credits:
The Cold Wire