Mexico City on NHL's 'short list' for future international game

The NHL is eyeing Mexico City as a potential international event site.

"Mexico City is on a short list because our teams are very interested in going there and exploring that market," NHL chief content officer Steve Mayer told ESPN's "The Drop" podcast.

The NHL has staged events across Europe for decades and has expanded to less traditional markets in recent years, such as China and Australia.

"Our international department and our events department get so many inquiries from all over the world, and we've heard from so many people that have done major events in big cities, and they love the fact that hockey can be viable in their countries," Mayer said.

The Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings have held camps in Mexico City, and the Arizona Coyotes are one of the teams pushing to play there down the road.

"I keep telling (the NHL), 'Guys, I don't think you understand. If you think there's a rabid fan base in Australia, any American sport event in Mexico is a massive deal for the country,'" Coyotes president Xavier A. Gutierrez said.

Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews is of Mexican heritage and said in 2021 that he'd love to play a game there.

The NFL, NBA, and MLB have all staged events in Mexico.