- 1974
- 1974
- 1979
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New Orleans Jazz Team Formation
On March 7, 1974, New Orleans became the 18th member of the NBA as a nine-man group headed by Fred Rosenfeld and Sam Battistone paid $6.15 million for the expansion franchise. Then on May 3, 1974, Pete Maravich was acquired by trade from Atlanta, becoming the first player in franchise history. That spring, a contest was held to name the ... -
Trade for “Pistol” Pete Maravich
In the summer of 1974, an expansion franchise was preparing for its first season of competition in the NBA. The New Orleans Jazz was looking for something or someone to generate excitement among their new basketball fans. With his exciting style of play, Maravich was seen as the perfect man for the job. Additionally, he was already a celebrity in ... -
New Orleans not Viable
Despite being barely competitive, the Jazz drew well during their first five years. However, by 1979 the franchise was sinking financially. Barry Mendelson, the team’s executive vice president for most of the early years, said one factor in the financial trouble was an 11 percent amusement tax, the highest in the U.S. at the time. The team also could not ...
History of the Jazz
The New Orleans Jazz has a long and storied history in the NBA. Founded in 1974, the team was initially based out of New Orleans as part of an effort to bring professional basketball to Louisiana. The franchise had some early success, making it to the Western Conference finals during their first season before eventually being swept by Golden State Warriors.
In 1979, after five years playing for New Orleans, they relocated to Salt Lake City and became known as Utah Jazz – a name that still holds today. During this period, they enjoyed great success, with players such as Karl Malone and John Stockton leading them on deep playoff runs year after year while also appearing multiple times in the NBA Finals against teams like Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls dynasty squad.
From 2004-2007 ownership changed hands several times until finally settling with current owner Larry Miller who has since then been committed to keeping professional basketball alive within Utah despite never having won an NBA championship title under his tenure yet still managing consistent winning seasons each year mainly due in part from drafting key players such Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell more recently which have helped keep fans engaged throughout its 45-year existence thus far!
Jazz Products
Established
1974
City
New Orleans – Salt Lake City
League History
1974 – Present / National Basketball Association
Team History
1979 – Present / Utah Jazz
1974 – 1979 / New Orleans Jazz
Nickname
Jazz – As any sports fan knows, the New Orleans Jazz is one of the most iconic teams in basketball. But did you know that their nickname has an interesting origin story?
The team was founded in 1974 by a group of investors led by Larry Miller and Sam Battistone. At first, they were known as the New Orleans Buccaneers, but after just one season, it was decided to change their name to something more reflective of Louisiana's culture - jazz music. The nickname paid homage to Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton, who helped popularize jazz music across America during the early 20th century.
This makes for a unique connection between basketball and music and serves as an important reminder about Louisiana's influence on American culture over time - particularly its musical heritage. From blues to rock & roll, country-western, and hip-hop – all these genres owe a debt of gratitude to musicians from The Big Easy like Fats Domino or Dr. John!
So next time you cheer on your beloved Pelicans (as they’re now called!), don’t forget that there is some serious history behind their original moniker: “New Orleans Jazz!”
Championship
NBA Championships 0
Arena
2023 - Present / Delta Center
2015 – 2023 / Vivint Smart Home Arena
2006 – 2015 / EnergySolutions Arena
1991 – 2005 / Delta Center
1979 – 1991 / Salt Palace
*New Orleans*
1975 – 1979 / Louisiana Superdome
1974 – 1975 / Municipal Auditorium & Loyola Field House
Owner
2020 - Present / Ryan Smith
2009 – 2020 / Greg and Gail Miller
1986 – 2009 / Larry Miller
1985 – 1986 / Sam Battistone and Larry Miller
1974 – 1985 / Sam Battistone
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.
Retired Number
1 / Frank Layden
4 / Adrian Dantley
7 / Pete Maravich
9 / Larry H. Miller
12 / John Stockton
14 / Jeff Hornacek
32 / Karl Malone
35 / Darrell Griffith
53 / Mark Eaton
1223 / Jerry Sloan
– / “Hot” Rod Hundley
*Blue is this team’s history
