NEW YORK and MEXICO CITY – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and BBVA Bancomer, the largest financial institution in Mexico, have agreed to a partnership that makes the banking group the Official Presenting Partner of NBA Mexico Game 2012.

NBA Mexico Game 2012 presented by BBVA Bancomer will see Mexican-native Gustavo Ayon and the Orlando Magic take on the New Orleans Hornets in a preseason game at the brand-new Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on Oct. 7.

While celebrating its first 80 years of presence in Mexico, BBVA Bancomer will use the event to host and reward their most important clients through VIP experiences and hospitality.  As presenting partner, the bank will receive prominent brand exposure around the game in October, as well as in arena on game-day through signage, premiums, and on-court fan activities.

In addition to NBA Mexico Game 2012, BBVA is also the presenting partner for the league’s preseason games in Europe, NBA Europe Live 2012 presented by BBVA, which will feature the Dallas Mavericks playing games in Berlin and Barcelona, and the Boston Celtics playing games in Istanbul and Milan, against top European basketball teams.

BBVA became the official bank of the NBA in 2010 as part of a multiyear marketing partnership with the league that includes the United States, Europe and Latin America.

“The NBA and BBVA both share the belief that the game of basketball can bring people together and that its values of dedication and teamwork extend beyond the court,” said Philippe Moggio, NBA Vice President, Latin America.  “Thanks to the support of BBVA Bancomer, the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets will showcase all the excitement and entertainment that NBA basketball has to offer our fans in Mexico.”

The game marks the NBA’s 18th visit to Mexico City and the league’s 20th game in Mexico overall, the most NBA matchups held in any country outside the United States and Canada. Game tickets are now available for purchase through Super Boletos (www.superboletos.com).

As part of the NBA’s 2012 marquee international preseason schedule, six NBA teams will participate in a total of seven international games this October.  Along with NBA Mexico Game 2012 presented by BBVA Bancomer and NBA Europe Live presented by BBVA, NBA China Games 2012 will feature two games between the reigning NBA Champion Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers in Beijing (Oct. 11) and Shanghai (Oct. 14).  To date, the NBA has staged 107 preseason and regular season games in 17 countries and territories across Europe, the Americas and Asia since 1988.