In an exciting development for basketball enthusiasts, the NBA is set to begin discussions on expanding the league after finalizing its new media rights deal. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced on Tuesday that the league would turn its attention to the "consideration of expansion" once the media rights deal was fully secured.

The NBA's board of governors has already approved the league's groundbreaking 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal. However, the deal is not yet fully completed, as Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, the parent company of TNT Sports, retains matching rights for one of the NBA packages, and it remains uncertain whether the company will exercise that option.

Once the final details of the media rights deal are ironed out, the NBA will delve into a careful evaluation process for expansion. Commissioner Silver emphasized that expanding the league was not as straightforward as it may seem, as there are concerns about the potential dilution of current team value and talent.

Silver highlighted the need for extensive modeling, collaboration with existing team owners, and a comprehensive assessment of long-term prospects. The economic considerations and potential impacts on talent dilution will play crucial roles in determining the viability of expansion.

It is worth noting that the upcoming media rights deal and other league revenue streams will be divided among the NBA's existing 30 teams. The potential expansion will lead to a discussion surrounding the willingness of each owner to accept the dilution of their annual cut in exchange for the benefits that expansion can bring.

While the specifics of potential expansion markets and the number of teams under consideration remain unknown, Commissioner Silver stated that the league would initiate the decision-making process in earnest this fall. The NBA will examine critical factors such as the viability of expanding and identifying suitable markets for new teams.

The recently reported media agreements with NBC and Amazon Prime Video solidify the league's commitment to expanding its broadcasting reach. The new partnerships, along with the continued presence of ABC/ESPN as the home of the NBA Finals, will span over an impressive 11 seasons and will contribute significantly to the league's revenue.

As for the current situation regarding media rights, Silver did not provide specifics on whether Warner Bros. Discovery had entered the five-day window to match the NBA package. The uncertainty surrounding this aspect leaves a sense of anticipation for the league's future plans.

Prospective buyers have already begun showing interest in future NBA franchises, according to reports. Cities like Seattle and Las Vegas have been considered front-runners in the expansion race, offering strong markets for basketball. Additional cities including Mexico City, Montreal, and Vancouver have also expressed interest in hosting NBA teams.

As the NBA nears the completion of its media rights deal, anticipation grows among fans and prospective buyers alike. The league's expansion plans will undoubtedly shape the future of professional basketball and pave the way for new opportunities for players and fans around the world.