Kansas City is making another push to become an NBA city, with Mayor Quinton Lucas publicly stating that the market wants to be considered for either expansion or relocation. Lucas pointed to the city’s recent success hosting major sporting events as evidence that Kansas City can support another professional basketball franchise.
Speaking on July 24, Lucas said, via KCTV5, “Kansas City wants to be in that conversation,” while discussing the possibility of bringing an NBA team to the region. He highlighted the city’s performance during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where more than 800,000 people attended matches and fan events, as proof of the market’s ability to generate large-scale support.
Lucas also supported comments from media personality Bill Simmons, who argued that Kansas City deserves consideration because of its sports infrastructure, fan base and history as a basketball market. The mayor responded by tagging the NBA’s official account on social media, reinforcing the city’s interest in joining the league.
A major advantage for Kansas City is the presence of the T-Mobile Center, a downtown arena with a basketball capacity of roughly 17,000 seats. The venue has hosted major basketball events, including the 2026 Big 12 Basketball Tournaments and a WNBA preseason game, demonstrating that it can accommodate high-level competition.
The arena’s modern facilities have strengthened Kansas City’s argument that it would not require a major construction project to become NBA-ready. The city has also used its broader sports profile, including the success of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and MLB’s Kansas City Royals, to argue that the region has the corporate and fan support needed for another major professional franchise.
Kansas City does have competition in the NBA expansion race. The league recently moved toward adding franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, while other markets including Austin and Nashville have also been mentioned as potential candidates for future opportunities.
The city’s basketball history remains central to its pitch. Kansas City previously hosted the NBA’s Kings franchise from 1972 to 1985 before the team relocated to Sacramento. Lucas has frequently referenced that history, even joking that the Kings could eventually return to their former home if circumstances changed.
However, an arena and government support are only part of the equation. Any NBA expansion bid would require a committed ownership group capable of paying a potential multibillion-dollar expansion fee, while relocation would require an existing franchise to become available.
No formal ownership group has emerged publicly for a Kansas City NBA bid, leaving the city’s effort dependent on future league decisions. Lucas has maintained that the opportunity is not closed, saying the answer is “not yet” rather than “no.”
