The NBA is widening its activities in Mexico throughout the year to build on rapidly growing interest in the sport. A league official says, however, that a Mexican franchise is not on the near-term agenda.
The Straits Times, carrying a Reuters report, quoted Raul Zarraga, the NBA's head of operations for Latin America and Canada. He described the country as a top priority and said it now has around 30 million fans, more than twice the figure of 12 to 14 years ago.
League data show that 21.6 million unique viewers in Mexico streamed live NBA games last season. Zarraga added that the league's Mexico-focused social media accounts have more than eight million followers and generate roughly 200 million interactions a year.
The Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers were scheduled to meet in a regular-season fixture at Arena CDMX in Mexico City on 7 November. It is the NBA's 35th game in the country since 1992, a total no nation outside the United States and Canada has matched.
Beyond those annual showpiece games, the league is focusing on youth clinics, coach education, local content and live events such as NBA House, a fan experience staged in June during the Finals. The Mexico City Capitanes, the first G League side based outside the US and Canada, give the league a permanent foothold.
Interest has also grown thanks to Memphis rookie Karim Lopez, the first Mexican-born player taken in the first round of the NBA draft. Zarraga noted that Lopez developed in Australia after starting out in Mexico. He said programmes such as Jr. NBA and the Capitanes now offer local players alternative routes.
The Mexico drive coincides with plans by the NBA and FIBA for a new 16-team professional men's league in Europe, which could begin in 2027. Zarraga said the league treats each market on its own terms.
On expansion, the NBA Board of Governors authorised the league in March to formally explore adding teams in Las Vegas and Seattle. Commissioner Adam Silver said those two cities were the focus and that a decision on adding one or two teams was hoped for by the end of 2026.
Zarraga said Mexico already has the infrastructure, fan base and commercial momentum a franchise would need, but added: "Mexico is not part of the immediate plans."