6 cities that would be perfect NBA expansion alternatives to Las Vegas and Seattle
By Cal Durrett
NBA Expansion 2) Mexico City, Mexico
If either Seattle or Las Vegas fails to land an expansion team, then Mexico City should be a dark horse team to snag one. After all, it would open the NBA up to a new market, and a big one at that.
Mexico City is the largest city in the world with more than 17 million people, 6 million more than New York City. The NBA boldly expanded into Canada back in the mid-90s, and while only one of those two teams remains, the Toronto Raptors have become incredibly popular.
The NBA should look to do the same in Mexico and they have already tried to make inroads with the Mexico City games that happen annually. The San Antonio Spurs are popular there, as are several NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
Putting a team there would allow a new franchise to build its own fan base and give the league an even bigger foothold in an international market. Perhaps the Mexico City Eagles would make sense as a team name, with the Eagles being a big part of Mexican heritage. That is a distinctive name that seemingly fits the potential franchise but it's up to the NBA to make a team in Mexico City happen.