NHL team owner begins bid to get an NBA expansion team

According to a report from Vegas Golden Knights insider Danny Webster, Golden Knights owner Bill Foley has formally approached the NBA about landing an expansion team in Vegas.

No doubt that Foley is trying to replicate some of the success that he's had in the NHL, but now with the NBA. Awarded an NHL franchise on June 22, 2016, the Golden Knights became the first major professional sports team to call Las Vegas home, helping transform the city's reputation from a tourism and entertainment destination into a legitimate major-league sports market. Much of that transformation can be credited to Foley, whose persistence, financial commitment, and ambitious vision were instrumental in bringing the NHL to southern Nevada.

Foley first began pursuing an NHL franchise in the early 2010s, working closely with league officials and local stakeholders to demonstrate that Las Vegas could support a major professional sports team. A season-ticket drive launched in 2015 quickly surpassed expectations, proving there was a passionate hockey audience in the desert. By the time the NHL formally approved the expansion bid in 2016, thousands of deposits had already been secured, helping erase long-held concerns about hockey's viability in Las Vegas.

After paying a $500 million expansion fee, Foley immediately set out to build a winner. He hired experienced executives such as George McPhee and later assembled one of the NHL's strongest front offices. Foley famously declared that the team would make the playoffs within three years and win the Stanley Cup within six. Many observers viewed those goals as unrealistic at the time, but the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural 2017-18 season and ultimately captured their first Stanley Cup in 2023, fulfilling Foley's prediction almost exactly on schedule.

Beyond wins and losses, Foley has helped establish a unique identity for the franchise. He was heavily involved in the team's branding, including the selection of the Golden Knights name and logo, while also emphasizing a culture built around competitiveness and community engagement. Following the tragic events of October 1, 2017, the team became a rallying point for Las Vegas, further strengthening its connection with local fans.

Looking ahead, Foley's influence on the Las Vegas sports landscape may not be finished. He has been frequently linked to efforts involving a potential NBA expansion franchise for the city. While no deal has been finalized, the NBA has openly discussed expansion, and Las Vegas remains one of the leading candidates for a future team.

If Foley were to secure an NBA franchise, it could create one of the most powerful sports ownership portfolios in North America. The Golden Knights would likely benefit from increased corporate partnerships, shared business infrastructure, and a stronger year-round sports presence in Las Vegas. There could also be opportunities for cross-promotion between the NHL and NBA clubs, helping both teams expand their fan bases and commercial reach. While managing two major professional franchises would present challenges, Foley's track record suggests he would approach an NBA expansion team with the same aggressive, win-now mentality that turned the Golden Knights from an expansion dream into a Stanley Cup champion.