The Rise of the NBA in LATAM

Switzerland.– September 27, 2025 www.zonadeazar.com The NBA is no longer just America’s game: it has become a global media powerhouse, and Latin America has emerged as one of its most engaged regions.

For digital publishers, broadcasters, and streaming platforms across Latin America, data shows that NBA coverage is both a current growth driver and a long-term opportunity.

Why Latin American Sports Media Should Cover the NBA

1) Latin America is one of the NBA’s strongest international regions
The region counts more than 60 million NBA fans, with Brazil and Mexico ranking among the league’s top three international markets.
The fan base is young and digital-first: in Brazil alone, nearly 20 million fans are under 24, and NBA followers in Mexico are among the most active on social media.

Implication: Latin American audiences are not only large but future-ready, consuming sports content through streaming, apps, and social platforms.

2) Distribution deals are amplifying reach
In Brazil, Prime Video begins its 11-year exclusive streaming deal in 2025–26, with free-to-air sublicensing through Band.
In Mexico, the NBA maintains long-term partnerships with Televisa, ESPN, and Star+. Mexico City also hosted NBA regular-season games in 2023 and 2024.
In Argentina, ESPN and Star+ continue to grow audiences, boosted by local coverage and Argentine stars past and present.

This multiplatform strategy is gaining momentum across Latin America: ESPN Brazil saw a 21% year-on-year increase in NBA Playoffs viewership in 2024, while streaming minutes surged nearly 60% on Star+.

3) Engagement goes beyond broadcasts
NBA House in São Paulo attracted a record number of sponsors in 2024, while NBA Park in Gramado surpassed 130,000 visitors.
Mexico hosts the NBA Mexico City Games, with sold-out arenas and strong corporate activations.
Across the region, fan events consistently sold out, showing the NBA’s cultural and commercial impact.

For sports media, these events deliver storytelling, sponsor integrations, and lifestyle coverage that extends well beyond game recaps.

4) Betting is boosting monetization opportunities
Latin America is advancing regulated betting, with Brazil already live (Law 14,790/2023) and markets such as Mexico and Colombia operating under local frameworks.
Basketball, led by the NBA, is consistently one of the top-bet sports after football in the region.
The NBA’s fast-paced, player-driven stats (points, assists, three-pointers) translate perfectly into daily betting content.

For publishers, this means new revenue streams via licensed operator partnerships, betting integrations, and affiliate models.

5) Sportradar powers NBA coverage in Latin America
As the NBA’s exclusive international data partner, Sportradar provides:

  • Official real-time data: play-by-play, player stats, and shot charts.

  • Ready-to-use visualizations for digital storytelling.

  • Betting integrations aligned with local regulations.

Conclusion

Across Latin America, the NBA is a proven growth property:

  • Large and youthful audiences.

  • Expanding distribution across TV and streaming.

  • Cultural impact through local events and activations.

  • New revenue opportunities via regulated betting.

For Latin American sports media, expanding NBA coverage is more than content: it’s a chance to grow audiences, deepen engagement, and unlock monetization in one of the region’s most promising sports ecosystems.

Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com

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