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What did the Charlotte Hornets used to be called?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 07, 2026

Charlotte Hornets, American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that plays in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team, originally known as the Bobcats, joined the NBA in 2004 as the league's 30th franchise. The team's owner was Robert L.

Why did Charlotte Hornets change name?

Although owner Tom Benson said the Hornets' mascot name didn't fit in New Orleans for his NBA team, Charlotte owner Michael Jordan thought it was more than appropriate to reclaim it.

When did Hornets become Pelicans?

Looking to cement ties with its home city, the franchise changed its name from the Hornets (which was a reference to the “hornet's nest” of American rebels in Charlotte during the American Revolution) to the Pelicans in 2013.

Did the Charlotte Hornets ever change their name?

After suspending operations for two seasons the Charlotte franchise, rebranded at the time as the Charlotte Bobcats, was reactivated under new ownership in the 2004–05 NBA season. In 2013, the Bobcats announced that they would change their name to the Charlotte Hornets once again for the 2014–15 season.

When did Hornets become Bobcats?

To summarize: after the 2002 season, the original Hornets moved to New Orleans. In 2004, Charlotte was granted a new franchise, the Bobcats. After the 2013–14 season, the Bobcats changed their name back to the Hornets and reclaimed the history and records of the 1988–2002 Hornets.

21 related questions found

How much did MJ pay for the Hornets?

Michael Jordan's Top 10 Most Expensive Purchases: MJ Bought The Hornets For $175 Million. Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest players ever, and most pundits claim him to be the best.

Does Michael Jordan still own the Wizards?

In September 2001, Jordan came out of retirement at age 38 to play for Washington. Jordan stated that he was returning "for the love of the game." Because of NBA rules, he had to divest himself of any ownership of the team.

Did Bobcats turn into Hornets?

The NBA franchise announced Tuesday at a news conference that it has officially changed its name back to the Hornets after 10 years of being known as the Bobcats. The change comes nearly one year after owner Michael Jordan indicated he wanted to change the name back to the Hornets.

Are the Bobcats still an NBA team?

Charlotte Hornets, American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that plays in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team, originally known as the Bobcats, joined the NBA in 2004 as the league's 30th franchise.

What team did Michael Jordan play for?

Jordan won six championships with the Bulls and was named Finals MVP all six times. He was the NBA Most Valuable Player five times and a 14-time All-Star. He was All-Star game MVP three times and Defensive Player of the Year. He was all-defensive first team nine times and the NBA scoring leader 10 times.

Did David Stern own the Hornets?

And then David Stern, as the de facto owner of the Hornets, vetoed the deal. He cited not the backlash from other owners — who were in effect his bosses — but “basketball reasons.” He said he didn't approve of the Hornets' haul in the trade.

Does Michael Jordan own a NBA team?

Jordan is the first former player NBA Franchise Majority Owner. In a move taking him back to both his home state and Basketball. Jordan bought NBA Franchise the Charlotte Hornets in 2010 for (just) $175 million. In 2014 when the NBA franchise value rose, Jordan officialy became a Billionaire for the first time.

Why did Hornets change to Bobcats?

Back then, there was a lot of pride in the name, and hope for the future. We want to re-capture that with this name change." The Bobcats formed in 2004, after the original Hornets moved to New Orleans. Known for occasionally playing the Los Angeles Lakers tough, the Bobcats left an instant impression on the league.

Why did Hornets change to Pelicans?

Benson had also heavily favored the names "Brass" and "Krewe". On December 4, 2012, Yahoo! Sports reported that the Hornets would change their name to the New Orleans Pelicans beginning with the 2013–14 season. The team name is inspired by Louisiana's state bird, the brown pelican.

What was the Pelicans name before?

The Pelicans were established as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002–03 season when George Shinn, then owner of the Charlotte Hornets, relocated the franchise to New Orleans.

When did Michael Jordan retire?

He retired for the third and final time on April 16, 2003. Jordan's time on the Bulls was the subject of a docuseries The Last Dance on ESPN in 2020.

What does Michael Jordan own?

He played fifteen seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan is the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA and of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Where is Scottie Pippen net worth?

As of 2022, Scottie Pippen's net worth is roughly $20 million. What is this? Scottie Pippen is an American former NBA basketball player who played a total of 17 seasons in the NBA. He has won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.

Did Wizards make playoffs with Jordan?

At 38 and more than three years removed from the last of his six championships with the Chicago Bulls, no one knew quite what to expect from Jordan. The Wizards sold out every home game in his two seasons there, but the team failed to make the playoffs with Jordan as a player. Fans weren't left empty handed, though.

How long has Jordan owned the Hornets?

In March 2010, Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, after four years as part of the team's ownership group and its Managing Member of Basketball Operations. Jordan is the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA franchise.

Is Michael Jordan still owner of Hornets?

Jordan has had final say over the Hornets' basketball operations since he became a minority partner with the team in June 2006. He has been Charlotte's majority owner since 2010, after he bought out Bob Johnson.