In a current assertion that is igniting hope for basketball followers in Mexico, NBA CommissionerAdam Silver hinted at the potential for increasing the league to Mexico Metropolis.
Silver, who attended Saturday’s sport between the Miami Warmth and Washington Wizards within the Mexican capital, shared, “Personally, I’d like to have a crew” within the metropolis, which holds the title of North America’s largest with round 22 million individuals.
Nevertheless, Silver was clear that enlargement to Mexico Metropolis, whereas interesting, faces extra challenges than enlargement within the U.S., the place cities like Las Vegas and Seattle are frontrunners for NBA enlargement.
“Being direct, it is extremely unlikely Mexico Metropolis would soar above U.S. cities which might be at the moment into account,” Silver clarified. Nonetheless, the NBA is actively learning the town’s potential as a part of its general enlargement plans, acknowledging Mexico Metropolis’s dimension and its potential to spice up the NBA’s attain in Latin America.
It is smart, bussineswise
“If we had been to broaden, including two groups fairly than one makes essentially the most sense,” Silver famous, explaining that it could keep the league’s balanced 16-team conferences.
He additionally highlighted that including a crew in Mexico Metropolis may function a strategic enterprise transfer, saying, “Flipping a change in a rustic of 130 million individuals and 22 million individuals right here in Mexico Metropolis… may generate extra curiosity and enthusiasm across the sport.”
Saturday’s sport, which fell throughout Mexico’s iconic Da de los Muertos celebrations, solely added to the joy. Mexican-American Heat participant Jaime Jaquez Jr. gave native followers much more to cheer for, including a contact of pleasure for the one Mexican heritage participant on the courtroom.
Mexico has the cash and the infrastructure
In the meantime, billionaire Alfredo Harp Hel’s household, one among Mexico’s wealthiest, has proven curiosity in doubtlessly bringing the NBA to Mexico Metropolis. Silver was seen courtside with Alfredo’s son, Santiago Harp Gran, who’s reportedly within the concept.
With the Mexican G League crew, the Capitanes, already coming into their third season, Silver’s newest feedback might be a game-changer for the longer term of basketball in Mexico.
Although it might be “a few years off,” in line with Silver, the thought of an NBA crew in Mexico Metropolis has already set imaginations aflame.
