Charlotte Hornets fan guide

Teammates Cody Zeller #40 and Marvin Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets react after a play against the Milwaukee Bucks during their game at Spectrum Center on November 1, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

The Charlotte Hornets' fan base has remained loyal throughout the team's history and name changes.The history of the Charlotte Hornets is intertwined with that of the Charlotte Bobcats and a team based in New Orleans.

NBA legend Michael Jordan becoming the first retired player to assume majority ownership of an NBA franchise (starting when the team was still the Charlotte Bobcats.)

A short history of the Hornets: The NBA's surge in popularity spawned four expansion teams in 1988 and 1989 and the city of Charlotte was able to land one. The team played with mixed success until it moved to New Orleans in 2002, and Charlotte went without a pro basketball team until a second expansion team, the Bobcats, started up in 2004. The team has never been NBA or division champions, but they have made 10 playoff appearances, the first in 1993 and the most recent in 2016. Larry Brown, the Hornets' coach from 2008-2011, is a Hall of Famer.

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NBA legend Michael Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats after four years as part of the team's ownership group, making him the first former player to become majority owner of an NBA franchise. He inspired the team to change its name to the Charlotte Hornets prior to the 2014-15 season (by this time New Orleans had become the Pelicans). As of 2018, Jordan was both majority owner and team chairman for the Hornets.

Who's on the Charlotte bench? Find a roster of current players, including personal statistics like date of birth and weight; position played and game stats on the NBA's Charlotte Hornets' website page.

Schedule: Home and away game information, from Summer League to post-season play, can be found on the NBA's Hornets-specific calendar, which is divided by season. An interactive schedule also posts all the team leaders from each game and is a handy reference after each game (or while you're waiting for the next season to ramp up or making fantasy picks.)

Where the Hornets play: At the Spectrum Center, 333 East Trade St. in Charlotte.

Fan gear for the Hornets: The NBA online store is one reliable source for Hornets fan gear,offering 100s of choices from T-shirts to kids hats to beer coolers and smart phone cases, all with Hornets official logos and icons. As you might expect, many of the fan jerseys and basketball shorts are Jordan brand. Some of the most sought-after jerseys feature the names of legendary players like Dell Curry or Kemba Walker. Some of the most popular items are offered in the team's signature teal or teal and purple. 

Download the app: There's a Charlotte Hornets app that lets fans access mobile tickets at Spectrum Center "App Express" signs at the Fifth Street and Trade Street entrances. Other app advantages include giveaways and Hornets Fan Shop merchandise.

For more information:
Spectrum Center: Home to the Charlotte Hornets
333 East Trade Street, Charlotte
General info: 704-688-9000
Ticket sales: 800-745-3000
A-to-Z guide to Spectrum Center