NBA
In the United States, they are talking about the possibility that the new expansion of their League would come to Mexico
AI
FABIÁN TORRES / KEVIN CARTER
Updated
Mexico City could be on the verge of welcoming one of the greatest sporting milestones in its history if the strong rumor that emerged in the United States comes to fruition: CDMX is being evaluated to host an NBA expansion franchise for the 2028-2029 season.
The news came to light after ESPN revealed that a group of investors based in the Mexican capital approached PJT Partners, the financial firm advising the NBA in its expansion process. The proposal presented includes not only the creation of a new franchise, but also the development of a sports district that would house a modern arena in downtown Mexico City.
That project has the initial approval of PJT Partners, which demonstrates the enormous interest in having Mexico be part of the expansion of a league that has remained at 30 teams since the 2004-2005 season. Furthermore, it is public knowledge that Commissioner Adam Silver has always supported the idea of the NBA establishing itself permanently in Mexican territory.
The NBA, which has historically added two franchises in each expansion process, originally had its sights set on Las Vegas and Seattle—with the anticipated return of the historic SuperSonics. However, this latter option may have suffered a slight setback after it emerged that the financial offers submitted by its investment group were not sufficiently attractive to the league’s interests.
All NBA expansions
- 1962 (Chicago Packers)
- 1966 (Chicago Bulls)
- 1967 (San Diego Rockets and Seattle SuperSonics)
- 1968 (Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns)
- 1970 (Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Buffalo Braves)
- 1974 (New Orleans Jazz)
- 1976 (San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and New York Nets)
- 1980 (Dallas Mavericks)
- 1988 (Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat)
- 1989 (Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic)
- 1995 (Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies)
Although the tradition has always been to add franchises in pairs, Adam Silver himself specified that this in no way guarantees that the formula will be repeated this time. The commissioner made it clear that there would be no issue if the NBA decided to expand to an odd number, historically opening the door to a 31-team league.
Mexican businessmen already know that if they want to get the green light for their project, they will have to make an investment that could reach as much as $10 billion. Despite the exorbitant figure, analysts remain cautious; they warn that it could all be a strategy by PJT Partners to pressure Seattle investors and force them to raise their initial economic proposal.
What is already a fact is that the two new franchises would join the Western Conference, which would force one of the teams that currently belongs to that division to move to the Eastern Conference.