NBA expansion to Mexico City: Could it beat Seattle or Las Vegas?
· Yahoo Sports
On the latest video on HoopsHype's YouTube, Cyro Asseo breaks down the case for an NBA team in Mexico City, with perspective from Univision's Belen Duran on what it would mean for basketball in Mexico. He discusses why Adam Silver is talking about it now, the league’s existing footprint in the city, how it fits behind Las Vegas and Seattle in the expansion race, and the hurdles around ownership, an arena, altitude, demand and competition from soccer.
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You can watch the full episode or check out snippets of the conversation in the transcribed version below the YouTube video.
Why Silver is talking about Mexico City now
Timestamp: 00:11 – 00:45
Cyro Asseo: “Adam Silver says Mexico City has real potential for an NBA team. He also says it’s not in the immediate plans. So why is the league talking about it now? Two reasons. Mexico City is a strong long-term market, and it gives the NBA leverage while it negotiates expansion with Las Vegas and Seattle. Silver made his latest comments on the Pat McAfee Show on Oct. 20. He called Mexico City the largest city in North America. He said it has a huge basketball base and pointed to a large Mexican-American population.”
Belen Duran: “There are a lot of athletes in Mexico, basketball athletes too. So I think it would mean a big change for Mexico and for the athletes there.”
The travel argument and the fan base
Timestamp: 00:55 – 01:36
CA: “Silver also made the travel argument. A flight from New York to Mexico City is shorter than a flight from New York to Los Angeles, so you can see how it could work. Mexico City also sits in the U.S. Central Time Zone. The fans are already there. Raul Zarraga of NBA Mexico says that alongside Brazil, Mexico has one of the largest NBA fan bases in Latin America. Earlier reporting put that number at roughly 30 million.”
BD: “It would really change the narrative of basketball, or sports in general, in Mexico.”
The league already has a footprint
Timestamp: 01:36 – 02:39
CA: “Arena CDMX already hosts NBA games. This year it hosted the Nuggets and the Pacers. It’s also home to the Mexico City Capitanes, the G League team. The league has a multi-year partnership with [sponsor name to confirm], and Zarraga says more regular-season games are coming, with a target of another one in 2027.”
CA: “Now, the money side. Reporting says a Mexico City group approached PJT Partners, the NBA’s expansion advisor, and pitched a franchise, a new arena and a sports district. That is a proposal, not a deal. Silver said discussions about a new arena exist, but no owner, site, financing or timeline has been announced.”
BD: “People there are very excited to have these games in Mexico, because a lot of them aren’t able to come to the States and experience that.”
Las Vegas and Seattle come first
Timestamp: 02:39 – 04:09
CA: “The NBA is looking to expand to 32 teams in 2028-29. Silver said the league is still a few seasons away from expansion, and that it’s been public about looking closely at Las Vegas and Seattle.”
CA: “Las Vegas currently leads all expansion negotiations. Bids there reportedly approach $10 billion, but the city likely needs a new arena, and that could stretch the timeline. Seattle has been more pragmatic. It already has a renovated arena in Climate Pledge Arena, home of the NHL’s Kraken, which is NBA-ready with minor changes. Its bid reportedly sits well below Las Vegas, but reporting says Silver told owners Seattle is no longer a long shot.”
CA: “Mexico City adds pressure. Expansion fees are running between $7 billion and $10 billion. With that much money on the table, can the NBA afford to be picky? Is Mexico City close to getting a team? Not according to public reporting. Zarraga says the league’s attention is completely on Las Vegas and Seattle, and that Mexico has the proximity, the fan support and the economy to be considered eventually.”
The hurdles
Timestamp: 04:09 – 05:31
CA: “The first hurdle is ownership. The NBA wants to be deeply capitalized in whichever market it enters, and it wants an ownership group it trusts or is at least familiar with. Arena CDMX holds about 22,300 fans, but a new owner would likely want a modern building. Think premium seating, suites, naming rights and owning the real estate.”
BD: “There are dangerous places everywhere in the world, but some are safer than others.”
CA: “Altitude is another problem. Mexico City sits at about 7,349 feet. Denver sits at 5,280. Visiting teams would need an extra rest day and travel planning. The Capitanes have already used it to their advantage, and coach [name to confirm] has called altitude one of the team’s weapons.”
Can they sell out 40 more?
Timestamp: 05:00 – 05:47
CA: “Demand is the biggest question. Mexico City can sell out one NBA game. The Capitanes have led the G League in attendance and merchandise, and they set a single-game attendance record. But former NBA player Gustavo Ayon asked the key question: they can sell out one NBA game, but can they do it for 40 more?”
Nikola Jokic: “I think it’s going to be great, because Mexican people have that power and that passion in themselves.”
Soccer, baseball and the cross-border question
Timestamp: 05:40 – 06:37
BD: “Soccer is the main sport in Mexico, and baseball is also huge.”
CA: “Both remain Mexico’s dominant sports, and big soccer events draw most of the sponsorship money. The Capitanes have borrowed from soccer fan culture, with drums and chants, to build their identity. Cross-border business adds more work too. People already complain about going to Toronto. You have to get visas and figure out customs.”
Where Mexico City stands
Timestamp: 05:47 – 06:51
CA: “So where does that leave Mexico City? Probably third or fourth in line. First, the NBA settles Las Vegas and Seattle. Meanwhile, Mexico City builds its case through the Capitanes. It needs an owner, an arena and a training facility. If the NBA expands past those two, Mexico City is likely the strongest international candidate. It solves many of the problems that expansion to England or France would create.”
BD: “Mexico invested a lot in remodeling and transportation for the World Cup.”
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA expansion to Mexico City: Could it beat Seattle or Las Vegas?