In June 2008 another association was formed to pursue a bj league franchise licence and a pre-season match between the Sendai 89ers and Niigata Albirex BB was held a few months later.

[10] In January 2009 Akita Pro Basketball Club Co., Ltd. was established and in the following May was granted a licence to enter the 2010-11 bj league season.

The team's name was announced at a pre-season match hosted in Akita between the 89ers and Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix in September 2009.

The Shimane Susanoo Magic and Miyazaki Shining Suns joined the Western Conference, taking the league to a total of 16 teams.

[14] 39-year-old Akita native and Noshiro Tech alumnus Makoto Hasegawa was acquired from Niigata in exchange for a first-round draft pick and took on a player-manager role.

[16] The team was unable to reach a deal with Nakanishi, who instead signed with Rizing Fukuoka before the start of the season.

[20] Akita finished the regular season with a 54–6 record, defeated Kumamoto Volters in the B2 playoffs and were promoted to B1.

Kenzo Maeda Mick Downer Shogo Fukuda Atsuto Nara Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events.

During their time in the bj league, the Happinets played their home games at the Akita Prefectural Gymnasium.

[37][38][39] The hoop-crazed fans light up arena with "Bigabiga", pink glow sticks and sing the prefectural anthem before the game.

[40] The Happinets home court rocks with another stadium anthem "Fly Again" by Man with a Mission, and CNA Arena Akita is one of the hottest and loudest basketball venues in Asia.