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53-553: On February 27, 2007, the D-League awarded an expansion team to Des Moines, Iowa , as one of the four expansion teams for the 2007–08 season . The team was owned and operated by Iowa Basketball, LLC, a local ownership group led by attorney Jerry Crawford and also including Gary Kirke, Sheldon Ohringer, Paul Drey, Michael Richards and Bruce Rastetter. The team would play their home games at the Wells Fargo Arena , parts of

106-554: A 49–57 record after two seasons, the Altitude won back-to-back championships in its final two seasons in Asheville . Despite the Altitude's recent success, the franchise experienced poor attendance with fans often numbering in the dozens despite a 5,000 seat capacity. In its first four seasons, the Altitude averaged 788 fans a game and suffered at least $ 100,000 in losses. After the 2004–05 season, team president Rudy Bourg announced

159-523: A coaching position at Iowa State . The Energy matched their previous season performance by recording 37 wins and clinched the first seed again. The Energy once again had the rights to choose their opponents in the first round of the playoffs. They chose seventh seed Utah Flash , who were defeated by the Energy in the first round of last year's playoffs. The Energy and the Flash each won one road game each before

212-594: A franchise record. In 2021, the Cox Convention Center was leased to a film production company and the arena was closed to become Prairie Surf Studios . The Blue then moved into their parent team's home arena, the Paycom Center (then recently renamed from Chesapeake Energy Arena) in 2021. Headed into the 2023–24 season , the Blue finished the regular season with a 21–13 record and qualified for

265-453: A generous expansion draft, the team defied all odds and advanced to the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals in their first year of existence, and later won the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals in just their sixth season. The National Football League (NFL), despite being considered the most generous in its revenue sharing and the strictest with its salary cap, has had far more difficulty bringing expansion teams up to par with their more established brethren. Of

318-545: A policy that the league as of 2017 has no intention of stopping. Cities and regions with large populations that lack a team are generally regarded to be the best candidates for new teams. In rugby league , the United Kingdom-based Rugby Football League 's Super League has added teams from France and Wales to cover a great demographic spread. The operator of Super League, England's Rugby Football League , has also added teams to

371-495: A potential franchise in the UK , with a target date some time in the early to mid-2020s. When an expansion team begins play, it is generally stocked with less talented free agents , inexperienced players, and veterans nearing retirement. Additionally, prospective owners may face expensive fees to the league as well as high startup costs such as stadiums and facilities. The team is also at a disadvantage in that it has not been together as

424-537: A team as long as its opponents and thus lacks the cohesiveness other teams have built over years. As a result, most expansion teams are known for their poor play during their first seasons. Expansion teams must also compete with any expansion rivals for available talent, a common problem since leagues often expand by two or four teams in one season. Expansion teams are not necessarily doomed to mediocrity, however, as most leagues have policies which promote parity, such as drafts and salary caps, which give some expansion teams

477-489: Is a new team in a sports league, usually from a city that has not hosted a team in that league before, formed with the intention of satisfying the demand for a local team from a population in a new area. Sporting leagues also hope that the expansion of their competition will grow the popularity of the sport generally. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues but

530-528: Is applied to sports leagues in other countries with a closed franchise system of league membership. The term refers to the expansion of the sport into new areas. The addition of an expansion team sometimes results in the payment of an expansion fee to the league by the new team and an expansion draft to populate the new roster. In North America, expansion often takes place in response to population growth and geographic shifts of population. Such demographic change results in financial opportunities to engage with

583-615: Is done so that the history of the team stays with the original city, to be assumed a few years later by a revival of the franchise after a period of inactivity. The league expands in the season corresponding to the original franchise's revival, and holds an expansion draft for the revived franchise. For examples, see the notes below on the NFL 's Baltimore Ravens (relocated in 1996 from the Cleveland Browns , which were revived in 1999), NBA 's New Orleans Pelicans (relocated in 2002 from

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636-482: Is not an expansion team. If it moves, it is known as a relocated team , and if the name changes, the team is known as a renamed team . Relocated teams may change their name, colors, and mascot at the same time as the move; however, because the roster is the same and the league does not expand as a result, they are not regarded as expansion teams. A handful of franchise relocations are officially recognized by their respective leagues as creation of expansion franchises; this

689-724: The 1969 draft and acquiring Oscar Robertson from the Cincinnati Royals before the 1970–71 season began. In the NHL, the Florida Panthers made the Stanley Cup Finals in their third season even though, like MLB, the league then had no salary cap; a cap was established in 2005. However, the Vegas Golden Knights quickly emerged as one of the NHL's best teams in its first season. Thanks to

742-783: The Charlotte Hornets , which were revived in 2004 and were initially named the Charlotte Bobcats), and NHL 's Utah Hockey Club (relocated from the Arizona Coyotes in 2024, revival of the Coyotes expected in 2029). The National League had an eight-team lineup established in 1900, mirrored by the eight charter franchises of the American League in 1901. This list enumerates franchises added since this "Classic Eight" era. Eight charter franchises of

795-477: The Iowa Events Center . The team later hired former Northern Iowa player Nick Nurse as the team's first head coach. The team initially held a naming contest for the team. The choices listed on their website were Corncobs , Maize , River Rats , Scarecrows , and Thoroughbreds . However, on June 29, 2007, the owners announced the name Iowa Energy , along with team colors and logos. The team logo

848-559: The Los Angeles Sparks , New York Liberty , Phoenix Mercury , and Utah Starzz (now Las Vegas Aces ). AFL Women's, launched in 2017 with 8 teams, is operated by the Australian Football League, with all teams fielded by AFL clubs. The league expanded to 10 teams prior to the 2019 season and 14 prior to the 2020 season. In 2023, the remaining four AFL clubs launched women's sides. Originally known as

901-540: The National Basketball Development League . Asheville, North Carolina was chosen to one of the first eight franchises located in the southeastern United States . The franchise hired Joey Meyer and began their inaugural season in the 2001–02 season . In its inaugural season, the Altitude had a 26–30 record, finishing sixth in the league. Center Paul Grant was named to the league's inaugural All-NBDL Second Team. After accumulating

954-808: The New Orleans Hornets . Prior to the start of the 2006–07 season, the franchise's affiliation with the Bulls and Pacers ended with the addition of the New York Knicks . Before the relocation of the Oklahoma City Thunder , the franchise had its final affiliations with the Bucks, Knicks, and the Dallas Mavericks during the 2007–08 season. On August 1, 2008, the newly relocated Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to purchase

1007-714: The Oklahoma City Thunder . The Blue compete in the NBA G League as members of the Western Conference. The Blue play their home games at Paycom Center , an arena shared with the Thunder. The franchise began as the Asheville Altitude in 2001 playing in Asheville, North Carolina for four seasons. They won the 2004 and 2005 NBDL championship, becoming the first (and so far only) team to win consecutive league championships. After struggling with poor attendance,

1060-960: The 2017–18 season and was finalized on May 3, 2017. On May 30, the team announced it had rebranded to the Iowa Wolves. The affiliation between the Timberwolves and the Wolves is the second between the Twin Cities and Des Moines as the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League and the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League also share an affiliation. Roster Last transaction: November 25, 2024 Expansion team An expansion team

1113-408: The 66ers 107–102 in the first game at Tulsa . However, the 66ers won the second game at Des Moines to even the series. In the decisive Game 3, the Energy lost 122–127 at home and were eliminated from the playoffs. Courtney Sims , Othyus Jeffers and Curtis Stinson all returned to the Energy roster for the 2010–11 season . The team also retained Nick Nurse as head coach after he briefly accepted

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1166-502: The 66ers for $ 2.25 million, becoming only the third NBA franchise to own a D-League team. In the agreement, the Thunder owned full control of the team's business and basketball operations and became the sole affiliate of the Thunder. After getting offers from four venues, Professional Basketball Club felt none were suitable and announced the 66ers would move to Oklahoma City and play in the Cox Convention Center across

1219-522: The AFL of the 1960s were expansion teams in that league. Both joined the AFL after the merger with the NFL was agreed to, but before it was finalized. The NHL had a six-team lineup established in 1942. This list enumerates the teams added since the " Original Six " era. Six of the seven charter franchises from 2018 remain active. The WNBA began in 1997 with eight charter franchises, four of which are still active:

1272-646: The Altitude and relocated the franchise to Tulsa . The franchise also rebranded and was renamed to the Tulsa 66ers , in honor of the U.S. Route 66 which runs through the city and the state of Oklahoma . Starting in 2005, the National Basketball Association announced an affiliation and assignment system for the league. Under the system, the 66ers were directly affiliated with the Chicago Bulls , Indiana Pacers , Milwaukee Bucks and

1325-417: The Altitude had been sold to an independent ownership group and would relocate prior to the start of next season. Before the start of the 2005–06 season, the league announced expansion to the southwest United States with Tulsa, Oklahoma being chosen as a host city. Initially planned to being independently owned and operated by the league, Southwest Basketball, LLC, operated by owner David Kahn , purchased

1378-713: The Bulls, the New Orleans Hornets and the Washington Wizards . The Energy ended their three years affiliation with the Suns as the Bakersfield Jam was announced to be the Suns' new affiliate. On July 15, 2011, head coach Nick Nurse left the Energy and was hired by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to be their new head coach. The Energy later named former Utah Flash head coach Kevin Young as

1431-663: The Celtic League, and later as Pro12 and Pro14. The League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) and the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) initially fielded teams from eight organizations when they began operations in 2013; both leagues expanded to a total of ten teams in 2015. LCS expansion teams LEC expansion teams Tulsa 66ers The Oklahoma City Blue are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City and are affiliated with

1484-617: The D-League. They defeated the defending champion Dakota Wizards 101–99 to record the team's first win. Their inaugural home game at the Wells Fargo Arena was played on November 26, 2007. The Energy defeated the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 101–98 in front of a league-record attendance of 8,842. The Energy finished the season third in the Central Division with 22 wins and 28 losses. The record was only

1537-500: The Energy had the rights to choose their opponents in the first round of the playoffs. They chose to face the seventh seed Utah Flash of the Western Conference. They lost the first game of the series before they bounced back with two straight wins to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals, the Energy faced the eighth seed Tulsa 66ers , who eliminated the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the first round. The Energy defeated

1590-517: The Energy won the decisive Game 3 at home to advance to the semifinal. In the semifinals, the Energy faced the Tulsa 66ers who eliminated them in last year's playoffs. The Energy recorded two straight wins and won the series 2–0 to advance to the D-League Finals . The Energy faced the third seed Rio Grande Valley Vipers , who defeated the second seed Reno Bighorns in the semifinals. The Energy, led by Curtis Stinson 's triple-double , won

1643-720: The Grizzlies. Jed Kaplan, a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, led the new affiliation deal and was named managing partner for the Energy ownership group. The agreement ended at the conclusion of the 2016–17 season as the Grizzlies began operating their own D-League team, the Memphis Hustle . On January 23, 2017, it was announced that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be purchasing the Energy to serve as their D-League affiliate beginning with

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1696-681: The NBA (founded in 1950 via merger of the BAA and NBL ) are still active. There was only one expansion team in the whole history of the ABA. Only extant teams are listed. Two charter franchises, the Chicago Cardinals (now Arizona Cardinals ) and Decatur Staleys (now the Chicago Bears ), are still active. Starting in 1960, the NFL held an expansion draft for new franchises. Two teams from

1749-486: The NBA and were forced to miss the Energy's playoff games. The Energy were reassigned to the Eastern Conference for the 2009–10 season as the league realigned itself to two conferences. Despite losing former MVP Courtney Sims to overseas, the Energy improved their regular season record. They won the Eastern Conference with 37 wins, which was also the best record in the league. As one of the top three seeds,

1802-765: The NBA, signing a pair of 10-day contracts with the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks . Guard Othyus Jeffers , who was selected in the third round of the 2008 D-League Draft by the Energy, was named as the Rookie of the Year Award . Sims was named in the All-NBA D-League First Team while Energy first-round draftee Cartier Martin was named in the All-NBA D-League Third Team. Both Sims and Martin received call-ups to

1855-622: The Vipers by seven points after three quarters, but managed to outscore the Vipers 38–23 in the fourth quarter to clinch the D-League championship . Guard Stefhon Hannah led the Energy with 31 points, while five other Energy players scored in double figures. Stinson, who averaged 19.3 points, 9.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game, was named as the D-League Most Valuable Player Award . Stinson and former Rookie of

1908-616: The Year Othyus Jeffers were named in the All-NBA D-League Team . Two Energy stars, Jeffers and former MVP Courtney Sims, both missed the Energy's playoff games. Jeffers received a call-up to the Washington Wizards and signed a contract for the remainder of the season, while Sims left the team to play in China. Before the 2011–12 season , the league announced that the Energy would be affiliated with three teams,

1961-420: The existing franchises can pocket more revenue from expansion fees. Indoor American football leagues are notorious for doing so: the leagues can double the number of teams and have many new teams fail within a year or two. Major League Soccer , after spending most of its first decade of existence with relatively stable membership and struggling finances, adopted a policy of continuous expansion beginning in 2005,

2014-450: The first game 123–106 at Hidalgo . Stinson scored 29 points along with 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while five other Energy players scored in double figures. The Vipers won the second game 141–122 despite Stinson's second straight triple-double. That second game at Wells Fargo Arena was attended by a new league-record attendance of 14,036 fans. In the decisive Game 3, Stinson suffered an injury that limited his playing time. The Energy trailed

2067-531: The franchise relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma and played nine seasons as the Tulsa 66ers . Before the 2014–15 season , the franchise relocated again to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , becoming the Oklahoma City Blue . One of three teams still playing from the first league season, they are the oldest surviving NBA G League champion to play in the league. The franchise began in 2001 when NBA Commissioner David Stern and deputy commissioner Russ Granik formed

2120-456: The game in their 9th and 21st seasons of existence) playing in the game. In 1996 , the Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars each made it to their respective conference championship games in their second season in the league. Expansion teams are usually considered as such in their first season and sometimes in their second season. A team that moves to another location and/or changes its name

2173-551: The lower levels of its league pyramid, specifically the Championship and League 1 , from both France and Wales, and most recently Canada . In rugby union , the competition originally known as the Celtic League and now as Pro14 , which began with sides only from the Celtic nations of Ireland , Scotland , and Wales, has added teams from Italy and more recently South Africa . The U.S.-based NFL has been laying groundwork for

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2226-413: The measures that MLB took was to expand by four teams in 1961 and 1962. Over the past four decades, MLB expanded further, to its current 30-team membership. In the context of MLB, the term "expansion team" is also used to refer to any of the 14 teams enfranchised in the second half of the 20th century. Leagues that are new and/or financially struggling may also admit large numbers of expansion teams so that

2279-496: The new market as consumers of sports demand local teams to support. Major League Baseball (MLB) was limited to 16 teams located north and east of St. Louis, Missouri for the first half of the 20th century. During that time, the United States population doubled and expanded to the south and west. Rival interests explored the possibility of forming a rival league in the untapped markets. To forestall that possibility, one of

2332-478: The opportunity to win championships only a few years after their first season. In Major League Baseball (MLB) The Arizona Diamondbacks won the 2001 World Series in their fourth season, and the Florida Marlins won the 1997 World Series in their fifth season. In the NBA, The Milwaukee Bucks won the 1971 NBA Finals in their third year of existence, greatly helped by drafting Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in

2385-441: The playoffs for the first time since the 2018–19 season . Entering the playoffs as the third seed, the Blue defeated Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the first round in a 126–125 overtime win behind Ousmane Dieng 's game winner. Advancing into the semifinals, the Blue defeated Sioux Falls Skyforce in a 111–93 win after winning the fourth quarter 34–18 to advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2019. Facing off against

2438-603: The season with the best record in the Central Division with 28 wins and 22 losses. They were seeded third for the playoffs and were paired with the Dakota Wizards in the First Round. However, they were defeated by the Wizards at home with a 109–114 loss. Energy center Courtney Sims , who averaged 22.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, won the D-League Most Valuable Player Award . He also earned multiple call-ups to

2491-601: The six teams to have been added to the NFL since the AFL–NFL merger , the fastest turnaround between an inaugural season and the team's first Super Bowl victory was 27 seasons (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , established in 1976, won Super Bowl XXXVII in the 2002 season); none of the four teams to hold expansion drafts since 1995 have ever won that contest, with only one, the Carolina Panthers (who reached

2544-530: The street from the Chesapeake Energy Arena where the parent club Oklahoma City Thunder plays starting with the 2014–15 season. The team's front offices are located in the Chesapeake Energy Arena along with the rest of the front office staff of the parent club Oklahoma City Thunder. With the move, the team was rebranded from the 66ers to the Blue. In the 2016–17 season, the team was the regular season Western Conference champion with 34 wins,

2597-547: The team's new head coach. For the 2012–13 season, Energy added the Denver Nuggets as an affiliate in addition to the existing affiliations with the Bulls, Hornets, and Wizards. Young was fired in January 2013, replaced by Bruce Wilson on an interim basis. The Minnesota Timberwolves were added as an affiliate for the 2013–14 season, while Nate Bjorkgren as the franchise's new head coach. Led by Othyus Jeffers , who

2650-419: The tenth best record in the league and therefore the Energy failed to qualify for the playoffs. Before the 2008–09 season , the league announced that the Energy would be affiliated with the Bulls and the Phoenix Suns . The Suns, who was previously affiliated with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds , replaced the Heat, which would be affiliated with the Thunderbirds. The Energy improved their performance and finished

2703-438: The top-seeded Stockton Kings , the Blue outscored the Kings by 24 points to lead 58–45 at halftime. Despite a late comeback, the Blue won 114–107 and advanced to their second-ever G League Finals since the team was known as the Tulsa 66ers. In the best-of-three series against Maine Celtics , the Blue split the first two games, with both teams winning at home. In the decisive game three, the Blue built on an early lead and outscored

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2756-432: Was an orange basketball above the word "energy" and the team colors are purple, orange and red. Two NBA teams, the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat , were announced as the team's NBA affiliates. The Energy began to construct their roster by participating in the 2007 D-League Expansion Draft on September 5, 2007, and the 2007 D-League Draft on November 1, 2007. On November 23, 2007, the Energy played their first game in

2809-405: Was co-Most Valuable Player of the season along with Ron Howard , the Energy won its second Central Division title and fourth Division/Conference title overall, but fell to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the playoffs. Following the 2014 season, the Energy announced that they would be entering a hybrid single affiliation deal with the Memphis Grizzlies . The team's color scheme shifted towards that of

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