Michael Jordan says he would be interested in getting the Hornets name back if it becomes vacant – NBA News
Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, has said that his team would be interested in renaming the team Hornets, if the name becomes available in the future. The Hornets moved from Charlotte to New Orleans in 2002, and Charlotte got a new team. This year, when Tom Benson took over as the new owner of the New Orleans Hornets, he said that he might think about renaming the team to something that more fits the home state of Louisiana. Before the Hornets Wednesday game, his wife Gayle reiterated those intentions and also added that she would like the team colours to change from teal and purple to red, gold and navy blue.
Charlotte Bobcats owners Jordan was asked if he would be interested in naming the franchise the Charlotte Hornets once again, and said that the opportunity was there but would be decided when the time came.
"It's definitely an interest down the road, but right now it's the New Orleans Hornets. We would definitely entertain the opportunity. That's as much as we can say right now. We've heard the community ask the question, and we would listen,” said Jordan while talking to the Charlotte Observer.
The Charlotte Hornets started way back in 1988 and the newspaper reported that the old name and the throwback Charlotte Hornets jerseys were still very popular among young fans in the city and area. Jordan might think about taking the name back if it becomes available in an attempt to get the city and fans more interested in the team and winning back old supporters and fans loyal to the Hornets.
However, the eventual decision about the names as well as team colours would rest not with the New Orleans Hornets or the Charlotte Bobcats, but with the NBA. The league issued a statement on Wednesday saying that they were aware of the intentions of the Hornets, but reminded all parties involved that the final decision regarding these things rests with the NBA. The Brooklyn Nets successfully increased their brand value and presence in the NBA this season when they changed the name of the team as well as the team colours and logo upon moving to Brooklyn and New Jersey. Both the Hornets and the Bobcats might be looking to follow suit.
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