NBA plans to put G League team in Mexico City

N.B.A. Plans to Put a Minor-League Team in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY — The National Basketball Association intends to put an N.B.A. G League franchise here in the Mexican capital, according to three people familiar with the league’s plans.

A team in the G League, N.B.A.’s official minor league, which would be owned and operated locally, could begin play as early as next season, according to the people, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the subject publicly.

Establishing a G League franchise on Mexican soil would be the latest serious step by the N.B.A. to gain a foothold in Mexico and gauge the viability of putting an N.B.A. team in the largest market in Latin America.

While stressing that his league is not actively pursuing expansion or relocation for any of its 30 current franchises, Commissioner Adam Silver has described Mexico City as a natural contender for an eventual N.B.A. team on numerous occasions this year.

The N.B.A. G League is scheduled to have franchises owned or directly affiliated with 27 N.B.A. teams next season as it continues to work toward its long-stated “30 for 30” goal, which calls for every N.B.A. franchise to have a direct affiliate in the developmental league.

The Mexico City franchise is likely to begin operations before the G League reaches 30 N.B.A.-owned franchises, but, according to the people, it would be owned and operated separate from the N.B.A.

ESPN reported last month that the N.B.A. will also soon announce a basketball development and training academy in Mexico City, which would be its seventh such academy globally.​