The NBA has long has its eyes on growing the game globally through various programs like NBA Africa and NBA China, along with playing occasional regular season games in London and Mexico City.
While the allure of international growth is ever-present for sports leagues, there is always the question of feasibility in actually bringing the game to places outside the U.S. and Canada on a full-time basis. When it comes to expansion into Europe and Asia, the issue of travel is a major hurdle that has, as of yet, not been figured out.
However, with regards to Mexico, there is a market there and the NBA is ready to pounce. According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the league is moving “quickly” on plans to establish a G-League team in Mexico City with the possibility of it being operational for the 2018-19 season.
The NBA will “move quickly” toward putting an @nbagleague franchise in Mexico City, league sources tell the @nytimes
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 7, 2017
In a story posting now on @NYTSports, league sources say that a @nbagleague franchise in Mexico City will be established as quickly as feasible and could possibly begin play as early as next season
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 7, 2017
It would be the first time an American professional sports league would bring a franchise to Mexico, and the report is timely, as the Brooklyn Nets get set to host two games in Mexico City against the Thunder and the Heat on Thursday and Saturday.
The NBA isn’t alone in looking to expand into Mexico City, as the NFL also has had its eye on Mexico’s capital, hosting a regular season game in Mexico for the past few years. Where the NFL would have to take the major leap of bringing an actual NFL franchise to Mexico, a G-League franchise gives the NBA an opportunity to test the waters and get more data on the interest in Mexico City over entire seasons rather than one-off games, without the issues of moving or adding an NBA franchise.
