Resorts World Las Vegas, the $4.3 billion casino resort at the northern end of the Strip, may be seeking to establish an NBA arena if the league officially opts to expand in the US gaming center. 

Speaking under the condition of anonymity, sources informed Casino.org that the Genting-owned property has long considered utilizing some of its 42 undeveloped acres on the Strip to attract an NBA expansion franchise to establish a home on that land. According to one of the sources, those ambitions have probably grown stronger since Jim Murren assumed the role of chairman of the property last December. 

R.J. Cipriani, referred to as Robin Hood 702, stated he had dinner with Murren, then CEO of MGM Resorts International, at Lago in the Bellagio in 2018, mentioning that the executive showed a keen interest in helping to bring an NBA team to Las Vegas. Cipriani mentioned that on another occasion at The Mansion at the MGM Grand, Murren indicated that MGM was contemplating the acquisition of the Memphis Grizzlies or “another financially struggling” NBA team. 

Two years afterward, Murren departed from his leadership role at MGM to manage Nevada’s COVID-19 response team. He has strong basketball connections as he’s often recognized for introducing the NBA’s summer league to Las Vegas and facilitating MGM’s purchase of the Las Vegas Aces, attracting that WNBA team from San Antonio. The Aces, currently owned by Raiders owner Mark Davis, rank among the WNBA's most successful and valuable franchises. 

Circus Circus Purchase May Be Feasible, Also 

According to one source, there are opportunities regarding Resorts World’s bid for an NBA arena, including a possible acquisition of Circus Circus, which owner Phil Ruffin has stated he intends to sell. 

There’s a connection to Murren since he served as CEO of MGM when the operator sold Circus Circus to Ruffin in 2019 for $825 million. The agreement was revealed on the same day the company announced it would sell the Bellagio to a real estate firm managed by private equity company Blackstone Group for $4.25 billion. Ruffin has explicitly stated that he purchased the casino hotel primarily for the 102 acres of land included, yet Resorts World does not require that land to construct a facility for an NBA team.

"The Resort has over 42 acres of undeveloped land, which offers significant growth potential which few of its peers can match,” according to a 2023 statement issued by the integrated resort.

There are no guarantees that Resorts World Las Vegas will manage to secure a deal for an NBA arena, and the sources did not indicate that discussions were in progress. It’s typical for certain Strip operators to hold onto vacant land for long durations, allowing the value to increase while considering future actions. 

Lakers Sale Might Hinder NBA Expansion Strategies 

In both Las Vegas and the NBA, a persistent rumor is that Sin City will someday host a team from the league, but the Buss family’s recent sale of majority control of the Los Angeles Lakers could play a significant role in the league's expansion strategy. 

Investor Mark Walter is acquiring roughly 85% of the legendary franchise, appraising the team at $10 billion. Certain NBA analysts think that after the sales of the Boston Celtics and the Lakers, team owners will show little interest in expansion. 

In an expansion scenario, the NBA would likely introduce two teams, likely located in Las Vegas and Seattle, and the new ownership entities might pay $3 billion or more to the league for these rights. This would lead to some attractive immediate cash for current owners, but over time, additional teams reduce franchise values. Present governors recognize that limited resources and unavailability are key factors behind rising team costs, which may lead the NBA to halt expansion initiatives.