Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints, is now the owner of the Hornets. But he probably won't be for long. He'll keep the team but dump the name. He wants something that fits his town and region.
This means the name will be available, and the Charlotte Bobcats could claim it. I'm on record saying that I prefer Hornets to Bobcats, but not for $2.5 million. That's what the name change will cost.
Here's what I think: The draft will be the most important development in Bobcats' history. If Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis comes out, he will be a transcendent player. He could be as good a basketball player as Cam Newton is a football player.
Landing him would be, then, a transcendent moment. A new start. To make the new start official, maybe the Bobcats should change to a new/old name.
If the Bobcats don't get Davis, and they have a 25% chance, they lose, big. Will changing the name to Hornets lessen the pain?
Michael Jordan has to win fans.
But will a name change be enough? The team's winning percentage this season is .123. If the Hornets have a .123 winning percentage next season, will you buy tickets?
Easy as 1-2-3, right?
If I were the Bobcats, and I wanted to show fans I cared, I'd change my name to Hornets.
I've changed my mind.
I'm not on the bandwagon - I don't do bandwagons - but I'm running beside it.
You were right. I was wrong.
Keep pushing.
JP, get a grip dude. It isn't THAT serious. Besides, instead of getting so heated over the name of our NBA franchise, why don't you just sit back, have a cold one (of your choice) and relax. I think you could use the break.
Posted by: MrMixx | April 13, 2012 at 07:32 PM
Get the name but only if Jordan can get the teal and purple back too! No good to have one without the other. We want it all back!
Posted by: TripleThreat | April 13, 2012 at 07:32 PM
We want the name back and it is serious if you do not love Carolina sports and want to just sit back and chill instead of getting that name back I question your loyalty to this state and it's history.
Posted by: JP | April 13, 2012 at 08:06 PM
JP, those unis are worth at least 10 wins a season. Proven under tightly controlled environment to add 5 inches to your vertical and a 5% bump to 3-pt %.
Posted by: TripleThreat | April 13, 2012 at 08:11 PM
I think JP is a young kid that just joined the bandwagon.
Thank you Tom for a great article. Changing the name would increase fans but wouldn't change the team at all.
I do think it is the right choice though. I mean more fans means more support. More support of the players can mean better playing.
Posted by: GW | April 13, 2012 at 08:13 PM
Last time I checked, the name didn't put W's in the column and Charlotte in the playoffs. The reason the fans are not at the games has nothing to do with the name. If they were the "Charlotte Sillynannies" and were winning, I wouldn't care. I want W's. Not names.
If the team gets the name back, and goes 7-51 (like now), are seats going to be filled? NOPE!
Posted by: CharlieB | April 13, 2012 at 08:15 PM
I agree with JP... I love my sports in NC. I was in 4th when the Hornets came out. LOVED them like crazy! Panthers been a fan since the day they were announced! Hurricanes I do not even like hockey BUT I love the Hurricanes! Why? Simple I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. To me it's a pride thing. I love the B**cats but hate the name. I Lived in St Louis while in the Air Force and I fell in love with the Cardinals BUT if Charlotte, Raleigh Greensboro, any NC town got a MLB team.... Sorry Cards you would get demoted to #2
Posted by: Brian | April 13, 2012 at 08:20 PM
Well said. Would be epic to have the Hornets name back where it belongs, but that isn't enough...we need some top notch basketball players and a connection between team and fans to bring back the energy and noise we grew up experiencing in the hive! I've never experienced anything like it in sports since Shinn rolled out of town. Thanks Tom!
Posted by: Hendy | April 13, 2012 at 08:21 PM
I would cream my pants if they worked out a deal to get Stephen Curry in the offseason and he debuts in a Charlotte Hornet uniform along with Anthony Davis. See? I'm instantly back into this franchise if that were to happen. Even one of those things happening though is a pretty distant longshot.
Posted by: Jonathan | April 13, 2012 at 08:23 PM
I didn't know this is English class can I redo my paper teacher???? You know which two fingers you can get GO HORNETS....
Posted by: JP | April 13, 2012 at 08:48 PM
Guarantee you that butts would be in seats RIGHT NOW if this team wasn't the Bobcats and were the Hornets....I'd bet money and I mean plenty of BUTTS....
Posted by: JP | April 13, 2012 at 08:49 PM
I don't care how you spin it, the Bobcats name is just a horrible reminder of Bob Johnson. It has no ties or true meaning to this city. The Hornets, on the other hand, does have deep roots and means so much to so many. Yeah, changing the name isn't going to help make the team better or may not even put butts in the seats initially. However, they will sell a ton of merchandise and I will be one who gets back behind the name and team that belongs in this city. Getting the #1 pick and introducing our old name would bring a huge "BUZZ" back to this city. MAKE IT HAPPEN JORDAN. $2.5 million is nothing for you. You waste more than that on expiring contracts every year. We ARE the CHARLOTTE HORNETS!!!!!!
Posted by: ktown8 | April 13, 2012 at 08:58 PM
I agree ktown8 GO HORNETS
Posted by: JP | April 13, 2012 at 09:01 PM
"what ktown8 said"
Posted by: fred | April 13, 2012 at 09:10 PM
Hornets baby hornets are coming back!!!! We beelieve
Posted by: Big Tony | April 13, 2012 at 09:21 PM
I haven't cared about the NBA for years, including the Bobcats. I was always turned off by the name, because of the narcissism of Bob Johnson to name them after himself. For me, I think it would actually help to bring back the Hornets. Before Shinn screwed up, this town loved the Hornets. In fact, one of my favorite sports moments ever was being at the Coliseum that first-year when the Hornets but Jordan's Bulls in overtime. That place was rockin!! So...bring back the teal!
Posted by: WRaldri | April 13, 2012 at 09:36 PM
Hornets please!!!!!
Posted by: Jim | April 13, 2012 at 09:37 PM
Obviously I meant the Hornets "BEAT" Jordan's Bulls!
Posted by: WRaldri | April 13, 2012 at 09:38 PM
Can we get the ric flair Wooo back at the very least????
Posted by: Big Tony | April 13, 2012 at 09:41 PM
I was previously apathetic about changing back to the Hornets but like Tom I now think it would be a great move. This franchise needs a change in the worst way.
Posted by: James Reed | April 13, 2012 at 09:51 PM
7 wins are 7 wins. No more people are goingbto see this team keep losing by 30.
Posted by: Davey | April 13, 2012 at 10:00 PM
HORNETS HORNETS HORNETS
Posted by: JP | April 13, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Bring back the Hornets name and colors. Maybe the best basketball player to play the game will sell the team to someone who can really run it and make it into a winner. Michael you were a great player but a disaster as management & ownership as you have proven with the Charlotte & Washington franchise. Good article Tom.
Posted by: Billyjimbobjoe | April 13, 2012 at 10:46 PM
This is a done deal In my mind. Bring back the hive. Hornetzzzzzz hornetzzzzz
Posted by: Big chub a dub | April 13, 2012 at 10:54 PM
Tom-
You are a huge bandwagon fan. The only difference is you don't know when to get off. However can you explain your devotion to John Daly or the 1988 slicked back hairdo. I'm willing to bet you have a closet full of fake leather jackets and mock neck t-shirts.
Posted by: Moses Malone | April 13, 2012 at 10:57 PM