NBA in Mexico? Adam Silver shakes up expansion race with huge Mexico City tease

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has widened the conversation around the league’s future by suggesting Mexico City could eventually join the list of expansion destinations.

While Las Vegas and Seattle remain the leading candidates, his latest comments have put an international market firmly back on the radar.

Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, Silver stressed that fans shouldn’t expect new teams immediately.

“We're still a few seasons away from actual expansion taking place. We've been public about the fact that we're looking at Las Vegas and Seattle. Maybe down the road there's Mexico City, which is the largest city in North America,” Silver said.

Mexico City adds an international twist to the NBA expansion race

Mexico City’s scale makes it an intriguing prospect. The city itself has more than nine million residents, while its wider metropolitan area is home to roughly 22 million people.

That gives the NBA access to a vast potential audience, including local supporters and a large Mexican-American population across North America.

Arena capacity, ownership financing, travel logistics and the economics of operating a franchise would all need close examination.

A new arena district has reportedly entered discussions around a possible Mexico City proposal, but Silver made clear that the city isn’t an immediate priority.

Las Vegas and Seattle remain at the center of the expansion process. Las Vegas has become a major sports and entertainment hub, with several professional teams and a strong connection to the NBA through its Summer League. Silver also noted that groups are considering ambitious arena plans there.

Seattle, meanwhile, has a long basketball history and an eager fan base still hoping to welcome back the SuperSonics, who relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.

The city has an established arena, but the league must still assess the financial and ownership details before any decision is made.