The Japan Basketball Association on Wednesday granted the Niigata Albirex and the Saitama Broncos special approval to break away from the amateur Japan Basketball League.
Both teams will compete in Japan's first professional "bj league" (Basketball Japan League), which will kick off in November.
The JBL last June asked the Albirex and Broncos to reconsider their joining the "bj league" but received a negative response, leaving no option but to have the two leagues operate separately in the 2005-2006 season.