Mexico City And London To Host NBA Regular-Season Basketball Games Next Season

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced that, as part of their efforts to globalize the game of basketball, London and Mexico City have been chosen as host cities for regular-season games for the 2013-2014 season.

The NBA Global Games schedule will feature a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs at the Mexico City Arena on December 4th while the Atlanta Hawks take on the Brooklyn Nets at the O2 in London on January 16th.

"Given the deep-rooted Mexican heritage of San Antonio and our proximity to the Mexican border, Mexico City is an ideal location for us to play our first regular-season game outside of the United States and Canada," says Rick Pych, president of business operations for the Spurs Sports & Entertainment. "The NBA is a global game and this is a terrific opportunity to reach a new group of fans and have them experience Spurs basketball."

For the Timberwolves, this would be their first game in Mexico while this marks the Spurs fifth visit to the country. The Spurs, along with the NBA champion Miami Heat, had the distinction of featuring the most international players in an NBA Finals series, features nine international players (most in the league); followed by the T-Wolves with six international players.

"With the huge international presence on our current roster and our increasing global popularity, this is a natural fit for us,' said Minnesota Timberwolves President Chris Wright. "The NBA has done a phenomenal job in growing our game globally and we're excited to be a part of history as the NBA continues to expand its brand internationally."

This marks the first time the league will play two regular-season games in two different countries other than the U.S. and Canada. The 2013-14 NBA Global Game series also includes preseason games with the Oklahoma City Thunder facing Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul in Istanbul, Turkey; and the Philadelphia 76ers against Bilbao Basket in Bilbao, Spain. Preseason games are also scheduled for Manila, Philippines (Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers); Taipei, Taiwan (Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers); Manchester, United Kingdom (76ers vs. Thunder), Beijing and Shanghai, China (Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers); and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards).

In addition to games, the NBA will feature NBA Cares programs and activations to help promote the sport of basketball.

"With the addition of regular-season games in London and Mexico City, we will play one of the most comprehensive international games schedules in our history next season," said NBA Commissioner David Stern. "Through these games, we will bring the NBA experience to more fans and provide showcases for basketball and the extraordinary talent and athleticism of our players."