The Akita Pro Basketball Company, Ltd. has been awarded an expansion franchise, the bj-league announced on Wednesday.

The team, which will reveal its nickname at a later date, is the league's 14th franchise and will begin play in the 2010-11 season.

Since the application process began last November, more than 10 companies submitted franchise bids to the league.

There were five finalists, including bids from companies based in Kanagawa, Shimane and Miyazaki prefectures and an unidentified group, according to a press release.