Is Mexico Getting an NBA Expansion Team Soon? It’s Possible!

NBA is reportedly considering Mexico City to receive an NBA expansion team. The city is considered one of the largest cities in the world, with more than 30 million residents.

ESPN's Marc J. Spears noted that NBA's deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum said Mexico City is in consideration, which can which can open a door to Latin America. Spears noted that Mexico City was a "legit contender" when it comes to the discussion of the NBA expansion team.

The senior NBA writer for Andscape initially reported last week that Mexico City was a possible candidate for the NBA expansion team. However, the league noted that it will not be looking at expansion until after negotiating the next TV rights deal.

Mexico City currently has a team in G League called Mexico City Capitanes. Spears said Mexico City is the fifth largest city in the world, and more than 30 million people can watch or have access to the Capitanes games on ESPN Mexico. He added that the city has a 22,000-seat arena.

NBA Mexico

Marc J. Spears noted that NBA Mexico City would not be like New York since it is "five times bigger than New York." The ESPN correspondent noted that NBA Mexico City will be the "biggest market in the NBA" if they decide to join.

Spears recently went to Mexico City to attend NBA G League regular-season game. It was the first G League regular-season game held in Mexico City. Spears said the team has been waiting for this event to happen after two years because of the pandemic.

Mark Tatum told Andscape that the expansion is "currently not on the docket." However, he said that at some point, there is no doubt that Mexico City would have to be "one of the cities that would be in consideration."

The NBA's deputy commissioner noted that one of the challenges around international expansion has always been "travel issues" and facility matters. However, Tatum said it is not an issue for Mexico City since it already has a "world-class facility."

Yard Barker reported that the NBA is still trying to earn back the money the association lost over the past few years due to the pandemic. The media outlet added that financial opportunities in Mexico City "are far too lucrative to ignore."

NBA Expansion Team

Early this month, Insider reported that NBA star Kevin Durant and the founder of 35V, Rich Kleiman, would want to own an NBA team one day. Kleiman told the outlet that he and Durant would want to be hands-on owners in the operations of an NBA team.

Kleiman and Durant have reportedly been involved in sports ownership, with stakes in MLS team Philadelphia Union, NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL, and recently, a Major League Pickleball team.

Kleiman noted that he would love "to be able to operate as a CEO of an NBA organization," while Durant would love "to be able to have a hand" in the operational aspects of the matter.

Last month, NBA commissioner Adam Silver discussed the possibility of the expansion to Las Vegas, saying it would be a "great location for a franchise one day."

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

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