NBA D-League rebrands as the NBA Gatorade League, or G-League

The NBA D-League will now be known as the NBA Gatorade League, or the G-League for short, the league announced on Tuesday.

Terms of the sponsorship deal have not been released.

The minor league was formed in 2001 as the National Basketball Development League but shortened its name to the D-League in 2005. The G-League is comprised of 22 teams. Three additional teams will be added in the 2017-18 season, bringing the league closer to a full 30-team farm system for the NBA. Most NBA franchises currently have a one-to-one relationship with a G-League squad, allowing closer relations and strong development programs for young players on assignment.

The NBA said it aims to use Gatorade’s sports research institutes to improve player development.

The G-League player base is a mix of young prospects and veterans hoping to be called up to the NBA. The new NBA labor deal is expected to boost G-League salaries and make the transition from the minor league to the NBA smoother financially. As it stands now, a single 10-day contract in the NBA is worth more than a full season of work in the G-League.

For more on the G-League announcement, visit Ridiculous Upside.