Team owner Dion New filed a petition on Friday with Puerto Rico's Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) to relocate the Mayagüez Indios franchise to Isabela, rebranding it as the Gallitos for the 2027 season, Primera Hora learned from a source close to the request who asked to remain anonymous. Radio program Baloncesto 365 first reported the request on social media. Approval requires at least eight votes from other team owners at a BSN board of directors meeting; if the vote ties, BSN president Ricardo Dalmau would cast the deciding vote, as he did when the current tournament format was approved in early 2024.
A vote could occur September 30 during the next board meeting, though the date isn't official since the agenda hasn't been set. Two weeks ago, Mayagüez Mayor Jorge Ramos met with Dalmau to discuss basketball's future in the municipality, but New's petition could leave Mayagüez without basketball indefinitely. New, a U.S. businessman, returned to the BSN in late April after acquiring full control of the Indios; he originally entered the BSN in 2021 buying the Quebradillas Piratas from Roberto Roca, later selling that team to Ernesto "Ernie" Cambó.
Mayagüez missed the playoffs this year, finishing fifth in Conference B with a 13-21 record under coach Iván "Pipo" Vélez, who has not been told whether he'll return despite having a year left on his contract.