The league must officially announce that the city has been awarded an expansion franchise. This requires formal approval by the league's Board of Governors or equivalent governing body specifically naming the city. Preliminary discussions, stadium approvals without franchise awards, feasibility studies, or being named as a potential market do not qualify. Franchise relocations only count if specifically designated as "expansion" by the league. The announcement must come after market issuance. Even if the team won't begin play until after the target date, the market resolves Yes upon the official award announcement. Awards to nearby cities in the same region only count if they specifically include the named city or its metropolitan area.