If the NBA plans, in the medium term, to create one or two additional franchises, Seattle and Las Vegas will have to deal with competition from Mexico City. Mexico’s capital already hosts a G-League franchise, and on the sidelines of Miami’s meeting with San Antonio, Adam Silver confirmed on Saturday that it was a serious lead.
“As far as Mexico City goes, I think you’re doing whatever it takes to demonstrate to the league that ultimately we might be able to host an NBA team here,” explained the boss of the NBA. “Clearly, from a travel perspective, it’s very convenient because of the time zone. »
Gregg Popovich is supportive
Mexico City has already hosted around 30 NBA games, and over the years the league’s popularity has grown steadily, and that’s a big selling point for Silver. For him, the creation of a franchise in Mexico will have a greater impact at the level of sponsors, and more particularly for a broadcaster.
“I will add a factor that I would not even have thought of when I came here in 2019” Silver continues. “We are seeing a faster shift to streaming than I would have predicted a few years ago. When you go to streaming platforms and talk to those international partners, I think adding a team, for example, in Mexico might have a very different impact and relevance to them than maybe a media US-based history. »
What does Gregg Popovich, whose Spurs regularly come to play in Mexico, think? “It’s not in my prerogatives to decide where the teams should go, but I know they appreciate it”, he replied. ” It’s a good place for such a project, and I have no doubt that Adam and his team are doing their best to decide if it should be done. »
