Largest NBA Markets: Top 10 Teams by Market Size
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The Importance of Market Size in the NBA
In the world of North American sports broadcasting, market size plays a pivotal role in determining not only team revenues but also future franchise potential and exposure. While streaming services are on the rise, traditional TV still banks heavily on live events, with NBA games drawing tens of millions of viewers. Teams in major markets enjoy enhanced TV coverage, larger sponsorship deals, and greater overall visibility.
It’s no coincidence that America’s two largest cities—New York City and Los Angeles—each have two NBA teams, leveraging their massive local populations to command top value and fan engagement.
Breakdown of NBA Market Sizes
Below are the top 10 NBA franchises ranked by the size of their respective markets, considering TV reach and metropolitan population.
New York Knicks & Brooklyn Nets: The NBA’s Biggest Stage
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- Media Market: New York City–Newark, NJ–Stamford, CT
- TV Reach: 7.6 million homes
- Metro Area Population: 19.2 million
New York’s “Tri-State Area” extends across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, providing a colossal base for all major sports. Despite a lack of recent championships—the Knicks’ last title was more than 50 years ago and the Nets are still seeking their first—the location of both teams in Manhattan and Brooklyn makes them top-tier assets in sports business. The local market not only boosts fan attendance but also ensures these teams are mainstays in national TV slots and sponsorship deals.
Los Angeles Lakers & LA Clippers: Hollywood’s Hoop Scene
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- Media Market: Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA
- TV Reach: 5.9 million homes
- Metro Area Population: 12.8 million
Los Angeles is a hotbed for basketball fans and celebrities alike, with the Lakers long enjoying superstar status. Their success has translated into prime-time TV slots and major revenue. Even as the Clippers play second fiddle to the Lakers in terms of fanbase, their position in the nation’s second-largest market ensures sky-high franchise value. At one point, the city almost gained a third NBA team, reflecting the depth of its audience.
Chicago Bulls: The Midwest Basketball Powerhouse
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- Media Market: Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL
- TV Reach: 3.65 million homes
- Metro Area Population: 9.2 million
Chicago’s population spills into southern Wisconsin and Indiana, establishing the Bulls as a focal sports brand throughout the Midwest. Thanks to Michael Jordan’s legendary era in the 1990s, Chicago’s appetite for basketball remains insatiable, maintaining a massive media impact even decades after their dynasty.
Philadelphia 76ers: Anchoring the East
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- Media Market: Philadelphia, PA–Camden, NJ–Wilmington, DE
- TV Reach: 3.17 million homes
- Metro Area Population: 6.2 million
Philadelphia’s viewing area, often dubbed the “mini-tri-state,” covers portions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. While different sports dominate various neighborhoods, the 76ers’ games are accessible to millions who can easily follow multiple NBA teams due to overlapping TV coverage.
Dallas Mavericks: Big Markets in the Lone Star State
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- Media Market: Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX
- TV Reach: 3.13 million homes
- Metro Area Population: 8.1 million
In Texas, football is king, but the Mavs command attention when the NFL season wraps up. The Dallas-Fort Worth region consistently ranks among America’s largest metro areas, underpinning the team’s national TV presence and a devoted basketball audience, especially during playoff runs.
Houston Rockets: Another Texas Heavyweight
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- Media Market: Houston–The Woodlands, TX
- TV Reach: 2.77 million homes
- Metro Area Population: 7.5 million
Houston’s population and TV market have surged, spurred in part by migration over the last two decades. Despite competition with the state’s fierce football culture, the Rockets maintain a strong value and following, reaching nearly three million households locally.
Atlanta Hawks: Southern Giants
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- Media Market: Atlanta–Roswell–Sandy Springs, GA
- TV Reach: 2.73 million homes
- Metro Area Population: 6.3 million
Atlanta’s vast media market supports the Hawks against stiff local competition from baseball (the Braves) and college football. With many residents rallying behind Southern traditions, Atlanta’s population size and growing entertainment industry keep the Hawks firmly among the NBA’s largest markets.
Toronto Raptors: Canada’s NBA Standard-Bearer
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- Media Market: Toronto–Hamilton–Niagara Falls, Canada
- TV Reach: Not tracked by Nielsen (estimate: within top 8)
- Metro Area Population: 6.2 million
As the only team north of the US border, the Toronto Raptors command a large Canadian audience. Toronto’s greater area crosses the six-million mark, trailing only New York and Los Angeles among North American NBA cities. And with the nearest US teams hundreds of miles away, the Raptors are Canada’s de facto NBA franchise.
Boston Celtics: A New England Stronghold
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- Media Market: Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA
- TV Reach: 2.6 million homes
- Metro Area Population: 4.9 million
Boston’s loyal fanbase stretches across all of New England—from Massachusetts through Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. This regional passion for basketball, combined with the Celtics’ record-setting championships, gives Boston an outsized cultural and commercial NBA influence.
Golden State Warriors: The Bay Area’s Basketball Titans
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- Media Market: San Francisco–Oakland–San Jose, CA
- TV Reach: 2.58 million homes
- Metro Area Population: 4.5 million
The Golden State Warriors’ recent dynastic run has united the entire Bay Area behind their brand. Covering tech-driven Silicon Valley, Oakland’s East Bay, and culturally rich San Francisco, the region is affluent, populous, and deeply engaged with the NBA. Even with intense tech focus, Bay Area sports fans show huge support for the Warriors.
Market Data Table: NBA Team Markets at a Glance
| Team(s) | Media Market | TV Market (Millions) | Metro Population (Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks / Brooklyn Nets | NYC–Newark–Stamford | 7.6 | 19.2 |
| Los Angeles Lakers / Clippers | LA–Long Beach–Anaheim | 5.9 | 12.8 |
| Chicago Bulls | Chicago–Naperville–Elgin | 3.65 | 9.2 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington | 3.17 | 6.2 |
| Dallas Mavericks | Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington | 3.13 | 8.1 |
| Houston Rockets | Houston–The Woodlands | 2.77 | 7.5 |
| Atlanta Hawks | Atlanta–Roswell–Sandy Springs | 2.73 | 6.3 |
| Toronto Raptors | Toronto–Hamilton–Niagara Falls | N/A (Comparable to 2.6+) | 6.2 |
| Boston Celtics | Boston–Cambridge–Newton | 2.6 | 4.9 |
| Golden State Warriors | San Francisco–Oakland–San Jose | 2.58 | 4.5 |
Smaller Markets and the NBA’s Expansion Outlook
While the NBA’s largest teams enjoy a significant commercial advantage, several teams compete in much smaller TV markets. The New Orleans Pelicans, for example, play in the league’s smallest US TV market. Memphis, home to the Grizzlies, is not far ahead.
Several large metro areas like Tampa–St. Petersburg and Seattle–Tacoma, despite their size, currently lack NBA franchises. Tampa is the highest-ranked US metro without an NBA team, and Seattle is a strong contender for future expansion—especially since it previously hosted the SuperSonics.
Canadian cities like Montreal also have strong market potential. If the league further expands, especially by 36 teams in future decades, expect Montreal to be in contention for a franchise alongside Nashville, Raleigh-Durham, and St. Louis.
Summary: Why Market Size Matters in the NBA
A team’s market size impacts everything from their national presence to financial health and the ability to sign top-tier talent. The largest markets give franchises a head-start in building devoted followings, lucrative partnerships, and broadcast deals. As the NBA continues to evolve and considers expansion, expect market size to remain a critical driver both on and off the court.
