Expansion seems to be getting closer for the NBA. Adam Silver, commissioner of the League, indicated Thursday that the next step for the organization’s growth is the integration of more teams.
For the moment the NBA has 30 teamss, 15 in each conference. But with the NFL and NHL at 32, and the hockey league considering further growth in the near future, the organization doesn’t want to be left behind. At a time when there seems to be more talent than ever, the decision to integrate a couple of new franchises seems to be getting closer.
Expansion isn’t imminent, but the timing seems perfect
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the expansion of the League will be under consideration in the near future. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
While speaking on the subject, Silver asked to take things slow, and that the possibility of an expansion would hardly be considered. However, Adding two more teams has been on the League’s radar for yearsand the two main distractions to taking that step seem to be left behind.
The main objective for Silver was to avoid a work stoppage and maintain peace between the Players Association and the team owners.. The agreement was signed in April of last year and will give the League job stability for a few years.
Besides, the League would be close to signing the contract television rights, its main source of income, after the current agreement is one year from ending. Once the contract is finalized, the NBA will be able to focus on the issue of expansion as its priority.
It’s important to note that while the primary motivation for adding teams is economic, the NBA has never had as broad a player base as it does now. With the growth of the sport internationally, the base of potential players continues to grow. Basketball players of the caliber of Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo y Kristaps Porzingis They have come from European basketball and responded in the best way.
Seattle and Las Vegas, the main candidates
Among the cities that aspire to receive an NBA expansion team, Seattle and Las Vegas are the favorites. Interestingly, both recently received NHL teams, with the Vegas Golden Knights reaching professional hockey in 2017 and the Seattle Kraken in 2021.
Both cities were chosen by the NHL for good reason. Las Vegas has become one of the most striking markets for professional leagues in recent years. Las Vegas Aces They arrived in the WNBA in 2018, while the Raiders They moved from Oakland to Sin City in 2019.
With the Oakland Athletics scheduled to join the Raiders in Nevada in 2027 in a controversial move, The NBA would be the only one of the 4 major leagues without a team in the desert.
The Las Vegas Aces are one of the most successful franchises in the WNBA, both on the court and in the seats. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Something similar happens in Seattle, the 14th largest market in the United States. Currently the city has NFL, MLB, NHL, WNBA and MLS teams, and its fans are among the most participatory in all of those Leagues.
Ironically, The NBA would not be a novelty in the Emerald Citysince the SuperSonics were the first professional team in Seattle, the city they called home between 1967 and 2008when they moved to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder.
Other cities who could compete for a team son San Diego, Louisville, Vancouver, Kansas City y Pittsburgh. Among them, perhaps San Diego is the one that offers the greatest potential.
Are there options for Mexico?
The Capitanes of Mexico City have been a success within the G-League, and could be the first stone for an eventual NBA franchise in the country’s capital. (Photo: Carlos Tischler/Eyepix Group/LightRocket via Getty Images)
In the near future this is not the case. As mentioned, there are two markets that are strong favorites to receive the next two franchises, and There are still some obstacles to placing a franchise in Mexico. However, Silver did not rule out the idea in the future.
“At some point we would like to look outside of the United States, as well as Canada… This may not be the right time to do it, but we are also thinking about the long term” – Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
The experience with Captains of Mexico City in the G-League has been positive for the League. The club averages over 7,000 fans per gamea good record for the development league.
As headquarters, the Mexico City Arena could be a setting worthy of the NBA, although to host a team they would have to set aside several dates for a good part of the year, something that may not be viable for the owners of the property, so another arena would be necessary.
Among the points in favor, As a market, CDMX would be one of the largest in the organizationand the relative proximity to the other teams in the League make it an ideal destination if the League seeks to leave the United States and Canada.
Among the challenges they would face is the economic issue, both in the peso-dollar relationship, and in the cost of tickets and amenities to make the maintenance of an NBA franchise profitable.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED | ON VIDEO
Mexican artists hold a solidarity auction for Palestine
2024-06-07 23:16:03
#NBA #expansion #coming #outlook #Adam #Silver #consideration
