Size matters—especially in the NBA.
When it comes to running a successful professional basketball franchise, market size plays a critical role. Teams in larger markets benefit from increased local revenue opportunities, stronger free-agent appeal, and access to high-profile partnerships with local businesses, celebrities, and influencers.
From local TV broadcast deals to sponsorships and merchandise sales, a team’s market can significantly influence its long-term financial outlook and national relevance. In fact, local television contracts remain a major piece of the NBA’s overall revenue structure, with bigger markets commanding more valuable deals thanks to their broader reach.
Below, we break down each NBA team by local TV market size and metro population, providing insight into which franchises operate with the biggest built-in advantages—and which ones are punching above their weight.
📊 TV market size is measured by the number of homes in a Designated Market Area (DMA), while metro population reflects total residents in the surrounding metro area. This article was originally published in 2021, and has most recently been updated on June, 5th 2025.
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2025 NBA Market Size Rankings
Large NBA Markets (over 2 million homes)
| Team | TV Market Size* | Metro Population** |
|---|---|---|
| 1. New York Knicks / Brooklyn Nets | 7.453M | 19,113,000 |
| 2. LA Lakers / LA Clippers | 5.735M | 12,901,000 |
| 3. Chicago Bulls | 3.472M | 9,441,000 |
| 4. Philadelphia 76ers | 2.997M | 6,228,000 |
| 5. Dallas Mavericks | 2.963M | 7,943,000 |
| 6. Toronto Raptors | – | 6,202,225 |
| 7. Golden State Warriors | 2.653M | 4,749,000 |
| 8. Atlanta Hawks | 2.649M | 6,144,000 |
| 9. Houston Rockets | 2.570M | 7,206,000 |
| 10. Washington Wizards | 2.566M | 6,385,000 |
| 11. Boston Celtics | 2.490M | 4,899,000 |
| 12. Phoenix Suns | 2.158M | 5,059,000 |
Medium NBA Markets (1.5 – 2 million homes)
| Team | TV Market Size* | Metro Population** |
|---|---|---|
| 13. Minnesota Timberwolves | 1.887M | 3,703,000 |
| 14. Detroit Pistons | 1.863M | 4,365,000 |
| 15. Denver Nuggets | 1.798M | 3,038,000 |
| 16. Orlando Magic | 1.731M | 2,673,000 |
| 17. Miami Heat | 1.693M | 6,266,000 |
| 18. Cleveland Cavaliers | 1.512M | 2,088,000 |
Small NBA Markets (less than 1.5 million homes)
| Team | TV Market Size* | Metro Population** |
|---|---|---|
| 19. Sacramento Kings | 1.459M | 2,453,000 |
| 20. Portland Trail Blazers | 1.315M | 2,511,000 |
| 21. Charlotte Hornets | 1.291M | 2,660,000 |
| 22. Indiana Pacers | 1.183M | 2,126,000 |
| 23. Utah Jazz | 1.100M | 1,266,000 |
| 24. San Antonio Spurs | 1.031M | 2,602,000 |
| 25. Milwaukee Bucks | 922K | 1,586,000 |
| 26. Oklahoma City Thunder | 755K | 1,435,000 |
| 27. New Orleans Pelicans | 664K | 1,290,000 |
| 28. Memphis Grizzlies | 620K | 1,358,000 |
* TV market sizes courtesy of Sports Media Watch, based on Nielsen estimates for the 2023–24 season.
** U.S. metro population estimates are as of July 1, 2024, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Toronto metro population is based on the 2021 Canadian Census.
Sources:
- U.S. Metro Population Estimates: U.S. Census Bureau
- Toronto Population: Statistics Canada
TV Market Size: Notable Changes
TV market sizes are Nielsen-based and don’t change drastically year to year, but here are some trends and updates since we originally released market size rankings in 2021.
- No significant reordering in TV market size rankings—the top ten largely remained intact.
- Miami (Heat) and Denver (Nuggets) could potentially rise in future rankings based on broader metro growth, but their TV market sizes remain the same as per latest Nielsen estimates.
- Toronto still lacks Nielsen data due to being outside the U.S., so it remains marked as “–”.
What is the Smallest Market in the NBA?
The Memphis Grizzlies operate in the smallest TV market among NBA teams, with just over 600,000 TV homes. While New Orleans has a smaller metro population than Memphis, the Pelicans‘ designated TV market area includes a broader regional footprint, giving them a slightly larger overall media reach.
What is the Biggest Market in the NBA?
The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets share the largest market in the NBA, both in terms of TV audience (over 7.4 million homes) and metro population (over 19 million people). Los Angeles, home to the Lakers and Clippers, ranks second with a sizable gap, but still far ahead of other cities.
Why Does NBA Market Size Matter?
Market size affects a team’s local TV revenue, sponsorship opportunities, and appeal to free agents. Larger markets often have more media exposure and off-court earning potential for players, which can influence roster building and long-term competitiveness.
Do Small-Market NBA Teams Still Succeed?
Yes—franchises like the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Antonio Spurs have all won championships in the last two decades. While smaller markets may face financial and media disadvantages, smart front office decisions, player development, and fan support can still lead to long-term success.
Michael Burns
Founder of HoopSocial. Girl Dad. WNBA stan. Syracuse Orange and Charlotte Hornets fan. Sarcasm is my native tongue. You can follow me on Twitter at @mike_hoopsocial.