The Charlotte Hornets history began with the franchise’s roots in North Carolina before relocating to New Orleans and later becoming the Pelicans. This chapter of Charlotte Hornets basketball reflects a story of relocation, rebranding, and memorable players who built its reputation, creating a lasting legacy that continues to shape the franchise’s identity today.
Established
1988
City
Charlotte – New Orleans
League History
1988 – Present / National Basketball Association
Team History
2013 – Present / New Orleans Pelicans
2007 – 2013 / New Orleans Hornets
2005 – 2007 / New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
2002 – 2005 / New Orleans Hornets
1988 – 2002 / Charlotte Hornets
Nickname
Hornets – The Charlotte Hornets of the NBA have had a long and storied history since their inception in 1988. The team has undergone several name changes over the years, but one thing that has remained constant is their nickname: the Hornets. But where did this nickname come from? In this blog post, we’ll examine how it originated and why it stuck with fans for many years.
Charlotte Hornets Origin
In 1987, George Shinn and his ownership group announced that Spirit would be the nickname of Charlotte's prospective expansion franchise. Most fans voiced their displeasure, and it didn't help that some fans associated the nickname with the PTL Club, a Charlotte-based evangelical Christian television program that was the subject of an investigative report by the newspaper Charlotte Observer for its fundraising activities. Shinn decided to sponsor a name-the-team contest and had fans vote on six finalists. More than 9000 ballots were cast and Hornets won by a landslide, beating out Knights, Cougars, Spirit, Crowns, and Stars. Afterward, Shinn noted that the nickname had some historical significance; during the Revolutionary War, a British commander, Lord Cornwallis, reportedly referred to the area around Charlotte as a "hornet’s nest of rebellion."
To further embrace its namesake, Charlotte unveiled logo designs featuring images of hornet nests surrounded by basketballs during its inaugural season; however, these were later changed due to copyright issues surrounding another company that owned similar imagery rights at the time. Nevertheless, despite having different logos throughout its tenure (including ones depicting actual hornet insects), "Hornets" remains synonymous with basketball in North Carolina today – even after changing names twice more before relocating following the 2002 season!
The name change may have been necessary for business reasons, but there is no denying that “Charlotte Hornets” will always be remembered fondly by those who lived through those days when purple & teal ruled supreme!
Championship
NBA Championships 0
Arena
2014 – Present / Smoothie King Center
2002 – 2013 / New Orleans Arena
*Oklahoma City*
2005 – 2007 / Ford Center
*Norman*
2006 / Lloyd Noble Center
*Baton Rouge*
2005 / Pete Maravich Assembly Center
*Charlotte*
1988 – 2002 / Charlotte Coliseum
Owner
2018 – Present / Gayle Benson
2012 – 2018 / Tom Benson
2010 – 2012 / National Basketball Association
2007 – 2010 / Shinn and Gary Chouest
1988 – 2007 / George Shinn
- 1988
- 1991
- 2002
-
Charlotte Hornets Team Formation
After the NBA’s growth in popularity, expansion was only natural, and the city of Charlotte was only a natural site for one of the four new teams that would begin play over a two year period. Carolina had once been home to a popular ABA team known as the Cougars, and a hotbed for College talent with four major universities ... -
Number 1 Pick – Larry Johnson
With the first pick in the 1991 NBA draft, the Hornets drafted power forward Larry Johnson from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Johnson had an impact season, finishing among the league leaders in points and rebounds, and winning the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Additionally, Guard Kendall Gill led the club in scoring, averaging over 20 points ... -
Move to New Orleans
The Hornets’ popularity with the city of Charlotte began to wane during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Many attributed this lapse in popularity to the team’s owner, George Shinn, who was slowly becoming despised by the people of the city. In 1997, a Charlotte woman claimed that Shinn had raped her, and the resulting trial severely tarnished his reputation ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Charlotte Hornets History
Charlotte Hornets history traces back to 1988, when the original Hornets entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in North Carolina. The team quickly became known for its teal and purple uniforms and passionate fan base. In 2002, the franchise relocated to New Orleans, becoming the New Orleans Hornets, before the Charlotte Bobcats were established as a new team in 2004.
During the early years, Charlotte Hornets basketball featured standout stars such as Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, Glen Rice, and Alonzo Mourning. Their exciting style helped the franchise gain national attention. After the move to New Orleans, the Hornets continued to develop, keeping their iconic colors and fan-friendly culture while starting a new chapter at the Smoothie King Center.
The Charlotte Hornets history also includes notable playoff runs. The team reached back-to-back playoff appearances in the mid-1990s with its original roster and later found success again during the 2014 and 2015 seasons under head coach Steve Clifford. This period featured the emergence of Kemba Walker, who became a three-time All-Star and left a lasting impact on Charlotte Hornets basketball.
Hornets Achievements
In 2014, the Bobcats reclaimed the Hornets name, restoring the franchise’s original identity in Charlotte. Since then, the club has invested in young talent such as Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball to revive excitement around the team. With this renewed focus, the Charlotte Hornets history continues to grow, blending its legacy with new ambitions for success.
The Hornets have achieved multiple playoff berths, memorable rivalries, and a reputation for high-energy games. Although they are still seeking their first NBA Championship, their consistent efforts, star players, and loyal fans ensure Charlotte Hornets basketball remains a vital part of the league’s story. The franchise’s dedication to building a competitive roster signals that even brighter achievements could be on the horizon for future generations of fans.
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Retired Number
7 / “Pistol” Pete Maravich
13 / Bobby Phills
*Blue is this team’s history