Basketball

Charlotte officially becomes home of the Hornets again

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte is officially home to the Hornets once again.

The team made its official name change in an event at Time Warner Cable Arena Tuesday afternoon.

The announcement was made by Chief Operating Officer Fred Whitfield and Pete Guelli, Hornets' executive vice president & chief sales and marketing officer.

A video was shown before Whitfield and Guelli spoke, highlighting the historical significance of the hornet to the Charlotte area.

The video then went through the team's name changing process, from their initial request to former CommissionerDavid Stern's announcing the NBA's approval. Scenes were shown from uptown on that day, with fans celebrating.

Highlights from the team's December logo reveal were also shown, then Time Warner Cable Arena closely resembled "The Hive."

"From this point on we are officially the Charlotte Hornets," Whitfield said. He was a former season ticket holder when the Hornets played in Charlotte Coliseum. "We understand the significance of the Hornets name to our community."

Whitfield also talked about the Hornets day of service to the community, which will take place on June 9. He said the Hornets organization wants to be active in the community.

The organization will retain historical records for the original Hornets era (1988-2002) and the Bobcats era. It will not have records for when the team was moved to New Orleans.

Hugo the Hornet will return home on June 5. The team will unveil new uniforms June 19, just one week before the NBA Draft.

The Hornets name-changing process began 364 days ago. The crowd erupted in cheers when Whitfield said that process is officially complete.

On Monday, several purple and teal signs were already being put up around the arena.  Fans lined up outside the arena to attend the announcement.

A grassroots effort started the name change.

PHOTO TIMELINE: Charlotte Hornets history


The Hornets was the name of the city's first NBA franchise from 1988 to 2002. The NBA returned to Charlotte in 2004 as the Bobcats and played under that name from 2004 to 2014.

What is your favorite memory of the Charlotte Hornets? Join the conversation on Twitter using #BuzzCity or #HornetsHistory.

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