The Day of the Dead was lively Saturday night in Mexico City with the Miami Heat beating the Washington Wizards 118-98 and the National Basketball Association (NBA) getting more games in the Latin American city and looking to expand the NBA and WNBA.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is interested in Mexico’s potential as a growth market and sees the country as a safe path for the women’s league to expand its global presence.
“Obviously (the women’s league) is coming off a tremendous season, with a huge increase in attendance, a huge increase in viewership and fan interest, and I think they should have a game here . We will talk to our colleagues about it,” Silver said at a press conference.
The renewed interest in the WNBA has been fueled by a star-studded class of recruits, including Caitlin Clark, and a general appetite for female athletes around the world following the Paris Olympics.
READ | NBA fines Philadelphia 76ers $100,000 for misleading statements about Joel Embiid
The WNBA saw record ratings and ratings this year and signed a television contract worth $200 million per season. Silver noted that the league may have “more immediate priorities in terms of growth.”
The commissioner also spoke about the multi-year deal with Mexico City organizers Zignia Live that will see more regular season matches played in the city. He did not reveal any details, but added that the country was the first to be considered for expansion.
“Personally, I would love to have a team in Mexico. It is of course the largest city in North America. I believe if we came here, we would be Mexico’s team, not just Mexico City, and it would be a gateway to Latin America,” Silver said.
HOOP IN THE NIGHT OF THE DEAD
Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat wore a Day of the Dead mask before the start of a practice session Friday. | Photo credit: AP
Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat wore a Day of the Dead mask before the start of a practice session Friday. | Photo credit: AP
Mexican-American Jaime Jaquez, in his second year with the Miami team, was the man of the moment in front of a packed house of 20,328 spectators, adding fuel to the Day celebrations. Mexican deaths.
The Heat were on fire as two-time Olympic gold medalist Bam Adebayo finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds and two assists, while six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler added 18 points.
Alonzo Mourning, Goran Dragic and Drew Gooden were invited as part of the NBA Legends showcase, with the first Mexican to play in the NBA, Alonzo Mourning, and the second, Eduardo Najera, adding the icing on the cake.
