Established
2004
City
Charlotte
League History
2004 - Present / National Basketball Association
Team History
2014 - Present / Charlotte Hornets
2004 - 2013 / Charlotte Bobcats
Nickname
Hornets - The Charlotte Hornets have been a staple of the NBA since their inaugural season in 1988, and they’ve become one of the most popular teams in the league. But what many fans may not know is that before they were known as “the Hornets,” they were called “the Bobcats.”
The origin story behind this team's nickname dates back to 1974 when George Shinn founded a professional basketball team for his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. He named it after its original mascot – an anthropomorphic bobcat named Hugo, who dressed up like a cowboy and rode on horseback at halftime shows during games. The name stuck with the franchise until 2002 when Shinn rebranded them as the Charlotte Hornets due to fan demand for something more exciting than just being associated with cats!
Charlotte Hornets Origin
There are two stories about how exactly this transition happened: One version claims that it was inspired by New Orleans' own NBA franchise, which had recently changed its name from Jazz (a reference to musical heritage) to Pelicans (a reference to Louisiana state bird). Another version claims that Michael Jordan suggested changing it because he felt "Hornets" would be more intimidating than "Bobcats." Regardless of which story you believe, both versions point towards an effort made by the ownership group and front office staff alike to ensure their beloved hometown team had an identity worthy enough for national recognition!
Whatever way you look at it - one thing is sure; The switch from Bobcats To Hornet has undoubtedly paid off over time! Not only did switching help create some much-needed buzz around town, but it also allowed them access to markets outside NC where people could easily recognize & connect with them better, thanks mainly due its association w/ MJ & other legendary players who played or coached under him during his tenure here between 2014-2020. It looks like decision-makers knew precisely what they were doing all those years ago when making such a bold move away from traditional cat mascots...and we can all thank our lucky stars now too!
Championship
NBA Championships 0
Arena
2017 - Present / Spectrum Center
2008 - 2016 / Time Warner Cable Arena
2005 - 2008 / Charlotte Bobcats Arena
2004 - 2005 / Charlotte Coliseum
Owner
2010 - Present / Michael Jordan
2004 - 2010 / Robert L. Johnson
- 2013
- 2014
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The Return of the “Hornets” to Charlotte
On May 21, 2013, Jordan officially announced the organization had submitted an application to change the name of the franchise to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014 – 2015 NBA season, pending a majority vote for approval by the NBA Board of Governors at a meeting in Las Vegas on July 18, 2013. The NBA announced, on July 18, 2013, ... -
Bobcats changed their name to the Hornets
To restate and clarify a confusing series of events: after the 2002 season, the original Hornets moved to New Orleans. In 2004, Charlotte was granted a new franchise, the Bobcats. After the 2013 – 2014 season, the Bobcats changed their name to the Hornets and reclaimed the history and records of the 1988 – 2002 Hornets. As a result, the ...
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
The Charlotte Hornets history began in 1988 when the franchise joined the NBA as an expansion team. They quickly became known for passionate fans and exciting play. From the start, the team made a strong impact on Charlotte Hornets basketball, reaching the playoffs in their early years with stars like Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.
Over time, the team went through major changes. In 2002, the franchise relocated to New Orleans, while Charlotte was later awarded a new team named the Charlotte Bobcats. Although the Bobcats struggled at first, they eventually made the playoffs in 2010. In 2014, the franchise reclaimed its original name, officially restoring the Charlotte Hornets history and identity.
Charlotte Hornets Achievements
The Hornets have had several iconic moments since then. Under coach Steve Clifford, Kemba Walker became the face of the team and earned multiple All-Star selections. Walker’s leadership helped the Hornets remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, keeping Charlotte Hornets basketball relevant and exciting for fans.
In terms of achievements, the Charlotte Hornets history includes multiple playoff appearances across both eras of the franchise. The team reached the Eastern Conference semifinals in 1993 and 2002. More recently, the Hornets have focused on developing young talent like LaMelo Ball, the 2021 Rookie of the Year, who represents the future of Charlotte Hornets basketball.
For a complete breakdown of the team’s timeline and players, you can read more on the Charlotte Hornets Wikipedia page.
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Retired Number
13 / Bobby Phills
*Blue is this team’s history