Expansion franchise

Relocated teams regarded as expansion teams

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 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 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 the Charlotte Hornets, which were revived in 2004 and were initially named the Charlotte Bobcats), and NHL's Utah Mammoth (relocated from the Arizona Coyotes in 2024, revival of the Coyotes expected in 2029).