The NBA is contemplating including growth groups outdoors the U.S. and Canada, in line with commissioner Adam Silver.
Whereas Silver doesn’t anticipate new abroad groups to affix the league within the close to future, he says it’s a definite chance down the highway.
“It’s not preordained that we are going to increase right now, however I do know there’s an unlimited quantity of curiosity on the market,” Silver stated earlier than Recreation 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
“… Sooner or later, we’d prefer to look outdoors the USA. Along with Canada. This will not be the correct second to try this, however I’m considering long-term as effectively.”
This isn’t the primary time Silver has floated the concept of increasing overseas. He additionally broached the subject throughout a neighborhood Celtics broadcast in November final 12 months.
“Mexico Metropolis is straightforward by way of, I imply it’s excessive altitude, it’s 2,000 ft increased than Denver, in order that impacts the gamers a bit, nevertheless it’s a shorter flight to Mexico Metropolis from New York than it’s to LA, so … Someday, I believe that might be unimaginable to really increase to a market like Mexico Metropolis,” Siver stated.
“Within the meantime, we’re taking part in in Paris in January once more,” Silver stated. “It is vitally a lot a worldwide league, we obtained gamers from roughly 40 international locations, over 1 / 4 of the gamers had been born outdoors of the USA, and particularly now with digital media, streaming media, you guys know; I’m positive you get fan mail from 200-plus international locations, that’s the place our video games are carried.”
Mexico Metropolis can also be an intriguing possibility given the sheer measurement of town, with the broader space being dwelling to greater than 22 million individuals.
The town is already dwelling to a G League staff, the Mexico Metropolis Capitanes.
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