NBA Commissioner Adam Silver once again put Mexico City among the league’s expansion possibilities, while clarifying that it would be a long-term option. His comments keep open the possibility of a permanent franchise in the Mexican capital, but do not amount to approval or an announcement that a team is coming.
During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Silver explained that several seasons will pass before an expansion takes place. Las Vegas and Seattle are the markets the NBA is publicly evaluating at this stage; the mention of Mexico refers to a later horizon, not a confirmed change in that order of priorities.
The appeal the commissioner described lies in the scale of the market and a basketball fan base he considers broad and growing. He also cited the Mexican American population among the reasons to explore the opportunities that a deeper NBA presence in Mexico could offer.
The city’s relationship with the league already has two concrete foundations: it hosts NBA regular-season games and is home to the Capitanes, who compete in the NBA G League. That presence makes it possible to develop an audience and sporting activity, though it is not the same as having a franchise in the top league.
Moving to a permanent team would involve examining factors beyond the size of the fan base: owner financing, arena capacity, travel logistics, and operating conditions. Those elements are part of the assessment required to add a market to a league with ongoing activity across different cities.
For Mexican fans, the distinction matters: Silver recognizes potential in Mexico City, but the discussion is still about a future possibility. The capital remains on the NBA’s growth radar while the immediate focus of expansion remains on Las Vegas and Seattle.
Image: Mexico City, a future possibility for NBA expansion. File view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes in September 2006.
