Mexico Basketball League Salary

Mexico’s basketball league salaries will vary considerably depending on the competition. However, the best players make US$15K - $25K/per month in the country’s top league (LNBP).

Mid-tier levels (LBE, CIBACOPA) average $3K - $5K/per month while players in the lower-levels (LBP, CIBAPAC) hover around $500 - $1,000/per month.

Thus:

According to our overseas basketball salaries study that examined 100+ leagues worldwide, Mexico - as whole - is in the Mid-High-Tier pay grade in overseas basketball.

Granted:

That is tough to exactly pinpoint since the salaries will change dramatically depending on which Mexican pro league you are playing in.

So let’s break down each level to get a better idea.

SECTIONS

1. LNBP BASKETBALL SALARY

   1. LNBP BASKETBALL LEAGUE

2. CIBACOPA BASKETBALL SALARY

   1. CIBACOPA BASKETBALL LEAGUE

3. LBE BASKETBALL SALARY

4. CIBAPAC BASKETBALL SALARY

   1. CIBAPAC BASKETBALL LEAGUE

5. MEXICO CITY CAPITANES (NBA G-LEAGUE)

6. MEXICAN NBA PLAYERS

MEXICO BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Mexico has 6 professional basketball leagues including the LNBP, CIBACOPA, LBE, CIBAPAC, CIBABAJ and LBP. Of the bunch, the LNBP is considered the most prestigious with CIBACOPA being second.

Now one important thing to note about Mexican basketball off the bat:

There is actually no official tier or ranking system with the Mexican pro leagues!

That means there is no promotion or relegation between the leagues.

Instead:

There is a general conscious amongst the overseas basketball community of which Mexican league is the best and which is the worst.

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So - no. The LNBP is not “officially” considered the 1st Division.

But when you talk to agents and coaches…it is.

They view it as the best.

Ultimately - that’s what’s most important when it comes to getting contracts.

Meanwhile:

The CIBAPAC, CIBABAJ and LBP will all essentially be viewed at the same level (rookie/beginner leagues).

So take those rankings with a grain of salt.

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Regardless:

It does get better.

That’s because in Mexico, seasons rarely overlap.

So - if desired - players could hop from league to league all year, stacking cash in the process.

For instance:

In 2023, the LNBP’s schedule runs from August - December.

LBE’s runs from Feb - April/May.

CIBACOPA’s is from March - June.

You get the point.

It appears the Mexican leagues have found a common ground in this way.

They allow players to jump from league to league.

In fact:

Many do just that!

But of all the leagues - the LNBP - is where you’ll want to shoot for.

So let’s start off with that first.

LNbp Basketball salary

The most common Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP) basketball salary is US$4,000 - $7,000/per month.

However, the top teams can pay $10K - $15k/per month. On rare occasions, players can make $25K/per month.

Typically:

Those high-end salaries are reserved for:

• Mexican National Team members

• High-end import players (proven in top-tier overseas leagues)

• Former NBA players

One perfect example would be Gustavo Ayon.

He signed with Astros de Jalisco - a big money team - for the 2020-21 season.

And given he played:

• 3 years in the NBA

• In the top leagues in the world (Liga ACB)

• Long-time Mexican National team member

…you can bet he was making bank in the LNBP.

Kenneth Faried - 8-year NBA veteran - is another good example of a high-end import in the LNBP.

In 2022, he signed with Soles de Mexicali for the club’s playoff run.

Beyond that:

Other high-paying teams traditionally include:

• Halcones de Xalapa

• Fuerza Regia de Monterrey

• Libertadores de Queretaro

Usually even these high-paying teams will settle into the $10,000 - $15,000/per month range for their imports.

Put another way:

One long-time Mexican coach told me of the 60+ imports in the LNBP currently, maybe 2-3 could reach the max (approx. $25,000/per month).

So it really is a outlier.

But it does happen on occasion.

LNPB BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Billed as Mexico’s top professional basketball league, the LNBP - also known as La Liga Sisnova LNBP - is able to regularly attract Mexican National team players and top-tier talent with high salaries and good competition.

One interesting thing about the LNBP:

Six imports are allowed per roster.

So yes - that is a lot!

And - in theory - that should mean more opportunities for foreigners (Americans).

But speaking frankly:

Those spots are essentially reserved for:

• Proven overseas pros (3-5 years)

• Proven import players who have played well in Mexican system for years
  (LNBP, LBE, CIBACOPA)

• Players from top-tier leagues (Europe, Asia, Latin America)

• Former NBA players

• Former NBA G-Leaguers

So I wouldn’t get your hopes up. That is, unless your profile fits that billing - then go ahead and try your luck.

But there’s another important detail to consider.

The LNBP allows an unlimited amount of Mexican dual citizens!

This isn’t always the case in all the Mexican pro leagues.

In theory then:

LNBP rosters could be made up of almost entirely foreign-born players.

Think of this scenario:

• 6 imports (all American)

• 4 Mexican - American

• 2 actual natural-born Mexican players (born and raised in Mexico)

It’s not out of the realm of possibility.

That just goes to show you that it - literally - pays to have dual citizenship in the LNBP.

However:

This a common theme throughout all of overseas basketball - as I’ve covered before.

Wherever you go, teams and leagues will look for good players who have dual citizenship to the home country’s league.

Essentially:

It’s a way for teams to add better players from outside the country (foreigners).

But at the same time, they wouldn’t be going over the league’s set foreigner limit - a brilliant strategy.

That’s why whenever possible, try to occupy a “national” roster spot rather than an “import” spot.

You’re a greater asset that way.

CIBACOPA Basketball salary

CIBACOPA basketball salaries will vary considerably with players new to the league making US$1,800 - $2,300. More established names will earn $2,700 - $5,000/per month.

Meanwhile, the biggest stars can get up to $10K/per month.

In this way:

CIBACOPA’s salaries are lower than the LNBP’s - but not that much lower.

One interesting thing about the CIBACOPA:

There is some team crossover - and that’s good news!

That means some clubs play in both the CIBACOPA and other Mexican competitions.

One example is the Astros de Jalisco.

They play in both CIBACOPA and the LNBP.

Essentially then:

Anytime you play a club who plays in multiple leagues, you are getting a free tryout!

Consider it a way for you to impress one of the bigger budget teams.

Who knows.

If you ball out then they might remember your name and pick you up for the other league.

Then you have contracts in Mexico’s two best-paying leagues.

Not a bad position to be in.

It’s this line of thinking that I regularly teach my clients looking for direction in their overseas basketball careers.

To date, it’s helped a ton of players get started and double up their incomes playing.

So if that’s something you’re interested, then we can talk your situation through 1-1 to see what’s best.

CIBACOPA basketball league

The CIBACOPA’s basketball league - considered the second-best division in the country - is most known for its game-heavy schedule where teams play 30+ matches in less than three months time.

Often clubs will play four games in five nights…every week of the season!

There are even some triple-headers (back-to-back-to-back) ocassionally.

Granted:

The season is short (approx. 3-4 months).

But that is still a GRIND.

Ultimately:

Players have to be conscious of this schedule and consider if their body can even withstand it.

Perhaps the CIBACOPA wouldn’t be the best for you if you are:

• Older

• Injury prone

• Poorly conditioned

• Undisciplined

On that last point:

If you do play here, invest in recovery products ASAP.

This was my go-to when playing in Latin America for 6 years.

Remember:

In Latin America, games are prioritized over practices.

Here, 2-4 matches/per week are a regular occurrence in multiple countries.

In Europe you’re lucky if you get more than one per week.

That means players have to be ready for a lot of:

• Soreness

• Aches

• Nagging injuries

• Recovery days

• Massages

• Active stretching

• Foam rolling

• Sleeping

• Proper nutrition

…etc.

In other words:

You have to be a TRUE PRO to thrive in this league.

LBE basketball salary

Overseas basketball salaries in the LBE (Liga de Basquetbol Estatal) will be very similar to Mexico’s other professional league - the CIBACOPA. Usually, players here will make US$2,700 - $4,800/per month.

On the high-side, again - similar to CIBACOPA - there will be a select few players who will top out at approximately US$8,000 - $10,000/per month.

But in the end:

There really is little difference when it comes to similar between the two leagues.

Where they do vary quite a bit is in league structure.

LBE Mexico Basketball

The Liga de Basquetbol Estatal (LBE) - also known as the Chihuahua league - is a professional basketball league that is primarily played in Mexico’s northern state, Chihuahua.

Despite its small league size, it is one of Mexico’s top-paying professional basketball league.

If you haven’t noticed yet:

The main difference between the Chihuahua league and the CIBACOPA are imports.

• The LBE allows 3 imports per squad

• CIBACOPA allows six foreigners

Of course, this could change in the future.

But historically, the CIBACOPA has always had a high(er) number of imports while Chihuahua has kept it around that 2-3 import mark.

Ultimately:

Don’t focus on the specific number.

But look at the overall trend:

The higher you go in the Mexican ranks, the more imports allowed.

As we will see, the opposite is also true.

The lower you go in the ranks, the fewer imports allowed.

Unsurprisingly:

It would seem Mexican officials view the top leagues as “finished product” players. So it’s all about winning at that level and putting on the best product possible.

Meanwhile, the lower-tier leagues (CIBAPAC, CIBABAJ, LBP) are more development-based.

So this is something to keep in mind when targeting which league you are interested in.

CIBAPAC Basketball salary

CIBAPAC basketball salaries will commonly be US$500 - $1,000/per month. Occasionally, a higher profile player could get as much as US$2,000/per month for an end-of-year signing.

But it has to be said:

Usually those $1,000+/per month signings are reserved for a single month (max. two).

That way the club can save money as they don’t have to pay for their import for the entirety of the season.

In fact:

This happened to one of my good friends who played in this league. His CIBAPAC team was close to winning its region and the owners wanted to make sure they got the title!

So they brought him in as a reinforcement.

Lower-level mexico basketball leagues

Salaries wise, think of Mexico’s CIBABAJ, CIBAPAC and Liga de Baloncesto del Pacifico (LBP) all in the same light.

Although there may be some slight variance, each of the leagues will hover around US$500 - $1,000/per month on average.

However:

The main difference rests in the number of clubs at each level.

For that category, the CIBAPAC has the other two completely beat.

CIBAPAC Basketball Mexico

Mexico’s CIBAPAC basketball league is advertised as a development league for young Mexican players. For that reason, unlike Mexico’s other professional competitions, CIBAPAC allows significantly fewer foreigners per team.

Given what we’ve seen at the other levels, this is very much needed in Mexico’s basketball system.

Remember:

The majority of Mexico’s professional leagues will be loaded with foreigners (Americans).

That means there’s little development happening at the national level - which is a problem come major international competitions.

Not to mention:

There’s an ethical component here: Local Mexican basketball players being unable to get a job in their own country.

For that reason as well, Mexican - Americans do not count as locals in the lower-tier leagues (CIBAPAC, LBP, CIBABAJ).

Don’t get me wrong:

You can still play in this league as a Mexican-American.

But you will count as an import.

And given the advantages I already listed with American imports, this could make it harder for Mexican - Americans trying to get into this league.

But let’s put that aside for a second.

Today - there are over 40 teams in the CIBAPAC.

Yes - 40+ teams!

Better yet:

Each CIBAPAC club allows 2 imports per roster.

So that’s 80+ spots up for grabs - the majority of which will be going to Americans for a few reasons.

1. Americans are viewed as the best basketball players in the world

2. US - Mexico flights are quite cheap (very close to each other)

3. Americans don’t need a VISA to enter Mexico

4. Americans can stay in Mexico VISA-free for the entire CIBAPAC season

Essentially:

It’s a win-win for everyone.

Mexicans can get great (cheap) American import players.

Meanwhile:

American basketball players can get their start in the professional basketball world.

For those reasons I included CIBAPAC in one of the “Easiest Overseas Basketball Leagues” to get started in.

In comparison to CIBAPAC:

The CIBABAJ and LBP both have significantly fewer teams.

So the difficulty of getting into those leagues will be higher for rookies.

But think like a pro here:

If you can get into CIBAPAC then you can definitely get into the LBP/CIBABAJ.

Remember:

They’re all seen as a lower-level/beginner leagues in Mexico.

So the skill/level is translatable to one another.

Thus:

My advice would be to focus on CIBAPAC to begin with since it has more teams (opportunities).

Get into there and then leverage it to the other levels.

One last great thing here:

These beginner Mexican leagues don’t overlap each other.

So you could play in CIBAPAC (August - Dec.)

Take a few months rest.

Then play in CIBABAJ (April - July).

Mexico NBA team

Outside of Mexico’s six professional basketball leagues, the country also has an NBA G-League team called the Mexico City Capitanes.

As the only member of the NBA outside of the United States and Canada, the Capitanes feature multiple Latino players on its roster.

Thus:

It would seem the Capitanes are leaning into this notion of being “Mexico’s team” or “Latin America’s team - similar to how the Toronto Raptors do with Canada.

And that’s a great thing for:

• Latino players

• Mexican dual citizens

• Latino dual citizens

• Players killing in the LNBP

…since it’s more likely you may get noticed by the Capitanes.

More importantly though:

The NBA says it will seriously look at putting an NBA franchise in Mexico in the near future.

Translation:

Commissioner Adam Silver already views Mexico as:

1. A profitable growth market of the future

2. A market worth investing in

For context:

The NBA has already invested and partnered with a few overseas markets including Africa (BAL) and France (LNB Pro A).

So this is big news!

And something players need to take into consideration as they move forward in their careers.

Anytime you have the NBA’s attention - or financial backing - you are in a pretty good shape moving forward.

It is likely all of the leagues will feel a trickle-down effect.

MEXICAN NBA PLAYERS

Eduardo Najera - with 619 games total played - has to be considered the greatest Mexican NBA player of all-time. Mexican - American, Juan-Toscano Anderson, could be considered a close second.

Meanwhile, Horacio Llamas was the first Mexican to break the NBA barrier.

Overall:

Mexico has yet to produce a BIG star in the NBA like Brazil has with Leonardo Barbosa or Argentina with Manu Ginobili.

To that end:

Najera was nice in the League.

But he was far from a star.

But don’t worry:

With the Capitanes’ popularity and the potential of an NBA expansion team in Mexico, it is likely just a matter of time before Mexico get its star.

CONCLUSION

So there you have it.

Mexico’s top professional basketball leagues from the LNBP to the CIBAPAC.

Overall:

Mexico presents one of the most attractive overseas basketball markets in Latin America.

Here:

Basketball players are able to choose from a wide range of leagues that could be suitable for multiple skill levels.

Summary:

• The LNBP is Mexico’s top professional basketball league

• LNBP basketball salaries are the highest at $4K - $7K/per month on average

• CIBACOPA and LBE are two other great options for mid-high level players

• CIBAPAC, LBE, CIBABAJ are beginner leagues for overseas basketball players

• Lower-tier Mexico basketball leagues pay $500 - $1K/per month on average

Which Mexico basketball league are you most interested in joining?
Comment below!

Jose Colorado is a 6-year professional basketball player helping others achieve their dreams of pro basketball with a proven and tested approach to overseas basketball.

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