There'll be a new team from Southland in an 11-team National Basketball League next year and the Otago Nuggets are back after Basketball Otago decided not to enter a team last year, citing a lack of financial support.
The southern sides join the Auckland Stars, Bay Hawks, Christchurch Cougars, Harbour Heat, Manawatu Jets, Nelson Giants, Taranaki Dynamos, Waikato Pistons and Wellington Saints.
The NBL's chairman Sam Rossiter-Stead says the board's very pleased to have Otago back and to have four South Island franchises.
He says the board's delighted with the quality of the teams' submissions, with many securing new sponsors and other sources of income.
