In the latest episode of Gameday Podcast, Kike Levy speaks with Nuño Pérez-Pla, former president of Capitanes de Ciudad de México and current CEO of HYROX Mexico, about the forces reshaping the sports industry across Latin America and beyond.
Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwEBaVnGQLM
From football and basketball to fitness racing, international sports organisations increasingly view Mexico as a strategic market for expansion.
Pérez-Pla explains how LaLiga built its presence in Mexico by moving beyond simple broadcast distribution and investing in local fan engagement, media relationships and culturally relevant content. The discussion explores how Mexican stars such as Hugo Sánchez, Rafael Márquez, Andrés Guardado and Carlos Vela helped strengthen connections between Mexican audiences and Spanish football.
The conversation also examines the broader challenge facing sports properties worldwide: how to transform international viewership into lasting local communities.
One of the most compelling parts of the discussion focuses on the long-term ambition of bringing an NBA franchise to Mexico City.
Drawing on his experience leading Capitanes, Pérez-Pla discusses the role the club has played in demonstrating Mexico’s commercial potential, fan demand and operational readiness for top-tier basketball.
The episode explores:
The conversation also tackles one of the biggest questions in global sports business: the possibility of NBA Europe.
Pérez-Pla shares his perspective on how an expanded NBA presence in Europe could reshape professional basketball, the challenges of competing with the established EuroLeague structure and what a truly global basketball ecosystem could look like in the future.
For sports executives, investors and industry observers, the discussion offers valuable insight into how major leagues are thinking about international growth.
Another major theme is the extraordinary growth of HYROX, one of the world’s fastest-growing participation sports.
Pérez-Pla explains how HYROX has expanded across Mexico, growing from a single event into a nationwide fitness movement that combines endurance, competition and community.
The discussion explores:
Throughout the episode, a common theme emerges: successful sports properties are no longer simply competitions. They are global entertainment brands, community platforms and cultural movements.
Whether discussing LaLiga’s internationalisation strategy, the NBA’s expansion ambitions or HYROX’s rapid growth, Pérez-Pla offers a front-row view of how sport is evolving in an increasingly connected world.
Watch the full conversation with Nuño Pérez-Pla on Gameday Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwEBaVnGQLM
Gameday by NJF Holdings is a sports investment and strategic platform founded by Nicole Junkermann. Focused on building long-term value across leagues, media and sports technology, its approach centres on structural growth, digital transformation and scalable fan ecosystems.