“This is 5 times bigger than New York” - NBA insider reveals Mexico City is strong contender for expansion team
Marc J. Spears was recently in Mexico City for the NBA G League's first regular-season game. Given rumors regarding the league's plans for expansion, Spears suggested that Mexico City might have a solid chance of having its own team.
Talk of the NBA's expansion has seen several fans engage in the discussion. With cities such as Seattle and Las Vegas in the mix, the league has presented an opportunity for some fresh additions to the pre-existing scenery in the league.
All things considered, talks as of late have placed Seattle and Las Vegas as the frontrunners. Las Vegas is an interesting option as the Summer League is already taking place there. Meanwhile, Seattle has a rich heritage as a basketball city and has had its own team in the past as well.
In light of all these factors, it makes sense to consider them as frontrunners. However, a recent report by ESPN's Marc J. Spears suggests that there may be a new name in the mix.
Spears recently went to Mexico City to attend a G League regular-season game. This was the first G League regular-season game held in the city as well. When asked what it was like to watch the game in Mexico City, Spears said:
"They've been waiting for two years because of the pandemic to get to Mexico City. They're finally there. This is the fifth largest city in the world. There's 33 million people.
"There's over 30 million people that can watch their games or have access to the G League Capitanes games on ESPN Mexico. They have a 22,000 seat arena.
"This is five times bigger than New York. This would be the biggest market in the NBA if they join. From what I'm hearing, what Mark Tatum said, Mexico City is currently under consideration.
"So, move to the side Las Vegas. Move to the side Seattle. Because Mexico City, which can also open a door to Latin America, is a legit contender when the NBA talks expansion"
An NBA team in Mexico City? @MarcJSpears says expansion is a real option 👀
"Move to the side Las Vegas. Move to the side Seattle. Mexico City ... is a legit contender when the NBA talks expansion." https://t.co/NjGxeAejmg
Mexico City presents itself as an interesting destination for the league to expand to, to say the least. Keeping in mind that it also inculcates the league's idea of expanding its reach on an international scale, the league may take such a plan under heavy consideration.
Mexico City is a viable option for the NBA's expansion plans
The NBA's expansion plans have drawn a lot of attention from the media. With crowds and fans lobbying for their cities to have their own team, the league has had to consider several options.
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While mentions of Seattle and Las Vegas are extremely valid given their pre-existing links to the league, Mexico City could stake a solid claim on the matter as well.
As Marc J. Spears mentioned, Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world with an immensely dense population. The size of the accessible market itself is enough to drive major traffic towards the league.
The aspect of international appeal is not to be underestimated in these matters. With a Mexican team practically representing the whole country, the league could see a massive surge in crowd interest and support.
Mexico City already has a G League team and they also have the infrastructure to support a franchise. Having ticked a lot of boxes, Mexico City is a more than viable option for expansion.