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 New Orleans Hornets have a long and storied history in professional basketball. From their beginnings in Charlotte to their current home in Louisiana, they have been an exciting team to watch for fans worldwide. But many people don’t know that this franchise has undergone several name changes over its lifetime - including one very interesting nickname: The New Orleans Hornets!
The origins of this nickname date back to 2002 when NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that Charlotte would be getting an expansion team called “the Charlotte Bobcats.” However, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans before the Bobcats could play a single game. She displaced thousands of residents from their homes – including members of both local universities' basketball teams: Tulane University's Green Wave and Xavier University's Gold Rush (now known as Privateers). In response to this tragedy, Stern decided it was only suitable for these two teams – which had become symbols of resilience after enduring such devastation – should join forces with his new expansion franchise under one standard banner: The New Orleans Hornets!
Since then, the Hornets have become beloved by sports fans across Louisiana who appreciate not just how far they've come since Katrina but also what they represent symbolically; strength in unity despite facing insurmountable odds at times. As we look ahead into the 2021-22 season, let us remember why we cheer on our hometown heroes each night– no matter how tough things get or where life takes them next…we will always be #HornetsStrong together!
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
- 2002
- 2002
- 2005
- 2005 - 2007
- 2013
-
Return to New Orleans
Almost 25 years after the Jazz left for Utah the NBA returned to New Orleans as the Hornets dissatisfied with Charlotte moved to the Crescent City. Ironically when the Hornets played their first game in New Orleans on October 30th their opponents were the Utah Jazz. With Baron Davis scoring 21 points with 10 rebounds it would be a successful ... -
Smoothie King Center Opens
When the New Orleans Hornets arrived in 2002, they persuaded the state government to demand that the Brass foot the cost of converting the arena between basketball and hockey configurations. That expense was more than the Brass were willing to pay, and they were forced to fold due to the lack of another suitable arena. The Hornets played their first ... -
Drafting Chris Paul
Paul was selected fourth overall in the 2005 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets. Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Hornets played most of their games in Oklahoma City that year. Paul finished the season leading all rookies in points, assists, steals, and double-doubles, and became only the second rookie in NBA history to lead the ... -
Hurricane Katrina and temporary relocation to Oklahoma City
Because of the catastrophic devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina upon the communities of southeastern Louisiana, the Hornets franchise temporarily relocated its base of operations to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 2005 – 2006 and 2006 – 2007, posting records of 38–44 and 39–43 respectively. During this time, the franchise was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. In these two seasons, ... -
New Nickname Pelicans
With the future of the teams secure, and a young star to build around, a new era was set to begin in New Orleans. New Owner Tom Benson felt the name Hornets did not fit the city of New Orleans and began exploring a new nickname that would draw more fans and give it a Louisiana style. Though he preferred ...
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.
History of the Hornets
The New Orleans Pelicans, formerly known as the Charlotte Hornets, are an NBA team based in Louisiana. They have been a part of the league since the 2002-2003 season when they moved from Charlotte to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated their home city. The Hornets have had some successful years and notable players throughout their history, including Chris Paul and David West, who helped lead them to two playoff appearances during their tenure with the team.
In 2011, ownership of the franchise was transferred from George Shinn to Tom Benson and his wife, Gayle Benson, as part of a deal that included purchasing majority ownership in the NFL's Saints franchise. Since then, there has been significant investment into improving both teams’ rosters which have seen success on both fronts - most notably making it all way to Western Conference Semi-Finals in 2018 with Anthony Davis leading the charge for NOLA basketball fans everywhere!
Since 2019, however, things haven't gone quite so well for The Big Easy's beloved basketballers - missing out on playoffs each year despite having talented roster pieces such as Jrue Holiday & Zion Williamson at times during this period; still, hopes remain high among diehard supporters that brighter days lie ahead soon enough!
Overall, while not one of the NBA’s powerhouse franchises like the Lakers or Celtics yet, there is no doubt that current & future generations will make great memories alike, thanks largely due recent investments made by owners Tom & Gayle Benson over the past decade-plus – here’s hoping we can look forward even more exciting times ahead for Pelicans faithful very soon!
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
7 / “Pistol” Pete Maravich
*Blue is this team’s history