As part of an agreement with the NBA, a new team known as theCharlotte Bobcats began competing in the2004–05 NBA season.[9] On June 15, 2006,Michael Jordan, a formerNBA player and member of theNaismith Basketball Hall of Fame, acquired a minority stake in the franchise and became its managing member of basketball operations. On February 17, 2010, an ownership group led by Jordan purchased a majority share of the franchise.[10] In 2013, the Bobcats announced they would begin playing under the Charlotte Hornets name in the2014–15 season.[11][12][13] On the day the name change became official, the franchise reclaimed the history and records of the original Hornets.[14] The Hornets are now retroactively considered as having suspended operations from 2002 to 2004, while the Pelicans are now considered a 2002 expansion team.
In August 2023, Jordan sold his majority stake in the Hornets to a group of investors led byGabe Plotkin andRick Schnall.[15][16] He retained a minority share in the ownership of the team.[16]
In 1985, the NBA was planning to expand by three teams by the 1988–89 season, later modified to include a total of four expansion teams.George Shinn, an entrepreneur fromKannapolis, wanted to bring an NBA team to the Charlotte area, and he assembled a group of prominent local businessmen to head the prospective franchise. The Charlotte area had long been a hotbed forcollege basketball. Charlotte was also one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States,[17] and was previously one of the three in-state regional homes to theAmerican Basketball Association's (ABA)Carolina Cougars from 1969 to 1974.[18]
Despite doubt from critics,[according to whom?] Shinn'sace in the hole was theCharlotte Coliseum, a state-of-the-art arena that would seat almost 24,000 spectators, the largest basketball-specific arena ever to serve as a full-time home for an NBA team. On April 5, 1987, then-NBA CommissionerDavid Stern called Shinn to tell him his group had been awarded the 24th NBA franchise, to begin play in1988. Franchises were also granted toMiami,Minneapolis–Saint Paul, andOrlando.
Originally, the new team was going to be called theCharlotte Spirit,[19] but a name-the-team contest yielded "Hornets" as the winning choice. The name originates from BritishGeneral Cornwallis, who allegedly described the city as "a hornet's nest of rebellion" following theBattle of Charlotte in 1780, though it was first attested in 1819.[20] The team received further attention when it choseteal as its primary color, setting off a sports fashion craze in the late 1980s and early 1990s.[21] The team's uniforms, designed by international designer and North Carolina nativeAlexander Julian, featured a first for NBA uniforms:pin stripes.[22] Similar designs by other teams followed, as they became a hit.
Shinn hiredCarl Scheer as the team's first President and General Manager.[23] Scheer preferred a roster of veteran players, hoping to put together a competitive team as soon as possible. Former college coach and veteran NBA assistantDick Harter was hired as the team's first head coach.[24] In 1988, the Hornets and theMiami Heat were part of the1988 NBA Expansion Draft. Unlike many expansion franchises that invest in the future with a team composed entirely of young players, Charlotte stocked its inaugural roster with several veterans in hopes of putting a competitive lineup on the court right away. The team also had three draft picks at the1988 NBA draft.[25]
The Hornets' first NBA game took place on November 4, 1988, at theCharlotte Coliseum, losing 133–93 to theCleveland Cavaliers.[26] Four days later, the team notched its first-ever victory over theLos Angeles Clippers, 117–105.[27] On December 23, 1988, the Hornets beatMichael Jordan and theChicago Bulls 103–101 in Jordan's first return toNorth Carolina as a professional.[28] The Hornets finished their inaugural season with a record of 20–62. Scheer left prior to the 1989–90 season.[29]
Despite initial concerns that the Coliseum was too big, the Hornets were a runaway hit, leading the NBA in attendance, a feat they would achieve seven more times in Charlotte. Eventually, the Hornets would sell out 364 consecutive games.[30]
The Hornets'second season was a struggle from start to finish. Members of the team rebelled against Dick Harter's defense-oriented style, and he was replaced mid-season by assistantGene Littles following an 8–32 start. Despite the change, the team continued to struggle, finishing the season with a disappointing 19–63 record.[31]
The team showed improvement during thefollowing season. They won eight of their first fifteen games, including a 120–105 victory over theWashington Bullets. However, the team went cold, losing their next eleven games. The Hornets, who hosted the1991 NBA All-Star Game, finished with a 26–56 record.[32] Despite the team's seven-game improvement over the previous season, Gene Littles was fired at the end of the season and replaced by general managerAllan Bristow.
The Hornets were in the lottery again in 1992 and won the second overall pick in the draft, using it to selectGeorgetown centerAlonzo Mourning.[36][37] Charlotte now had two 20–10 threats in Johnson and Mourning, who with Kendall Gill, formed perhaps the league's top young trio. The team finishedtheir fifth season at 44–38, their first-ever winning record and good enough for the firstplayoff berth in franchise history. Finishing fifth in theEastern Conference, the Hornets upset theBoston Celtics in the first round, with Mourning winning the series with a 20-footer in game four.[38] However, the Hornets lacked the experience and depth to defeat theNew York Knicks, falling in five games in the second round.[39]
The Hornets finished the1993–94 season with a 41–41 record, narrowly missing the playoffs. Despite injuries to both Johnson and Mourning, the two led the team in points-per-game.[40]
In the1994–95 season, the Hornets finished with a 50–32 record, returning tothe playoffs.[41] Johnson and Mourning again led the team in points-per-game, while also leading the club in rebounding. However, Charlotte was bounced from the playoffs in the first round, falling to theChicago Bulls in four games.[42] Following the season, the Hornets traded Mourning to theMiami Heat for forwardGlen Rice, centerMatt Geiger, and guardKhalid Reeves.[43]
Glen Rice would make an immediate impact after joining the Hornets, leading the team in scoring and points-per-game during the1995–96 season. While Rice and Johnson provided high-powered scoring, Geiger tied with Johnson for the team lead in rebounds, and All-Star guardKenny Anderson ran the point for the injuredMuggsy Bogues. The Hornets were competitive but failed to qualify for the playoffs, again finishing with a 41–41 record.Allan Bristow resigned at the end of the season, and was replaced byDave Cowens.[44]
The 1996 off-season was again marked by vast changes: Anderson declined to re-sign, Johnson was shipped to the Knicks for power forwardAnthony Mason, and the team made a trade ondraft day 1996, acquiring centerVlade Divac from theLos Angeles Lakers in exchange for the rights to rookie and future Hall of FamerKobe Bryant, whom the Hornets picked 13th overall.[45] The new-look Hornets were successful, with Divac and Geiger providing the center combination, Mason averaging a double-double, Bogues back at the point, and Rice having the finest season of his career. The team achieved the best season in its history at the time, finishing 54–28, and making itback to the playoffs.[46] Despite the success during the regular season, the Hornets went down rather meekly to the Knicks in three games.
The1997–98 season was also successful.Muggsy Bogues was traded two games into the season, and the team picked up point guardDavid Wesley and shooting guardBobby Phills.[47] With Wesley, Phills, Rice, Mason, and Divac, the Hornets romped through the regular season, finishing with a 51–31 record.[48] The Hornets made it to back-to-back playoffs for the first time in franchise history, advancing to the second round, only to be stopped by the Bulls.
Players warming up prior to an April 2000 game between the Hornets and theIndiana Pacers at the Charlotte Coliseum
The1998–99 season was shortened. The season did not start until February, as the lockout shortened the regular season to only 50 games. Additionally,Glen Rice was traded to the Lakers forEddie Jones andElden Campbell, andDave Cowens resigned midway through the season.[49] He was replaced by former Celtics teammatePaul Silas, who became the team's fifth head coach.[50] The team finished with a 26–24 record, but failed to qualify for the playoffs.
The next three seasons (1999–2000,2000–01 and2001–02) saw the Hornets in the playoffs each year, reaching the conference semifinals twice. Before the Hornets were eliminated from the 2002 playoffs, the NBA approved a deal for the team to move to New Orleans following the2002–03 season. The move came mainly because attendance tailed off dramatically, reportedly due to Shinn's declining popularity in the city.[51][52][53]
Shortly after the relocation of the team to New Orleans, as part of the deal with the city of Charlotte, as well as to avoid aCleveland Browns–like lawsuit, the NBA opened itself to the possibility of adding a replacement team in Charlotte for the2004–05 season, provided that an arena deal could be reached.[54] Several ownership groups, including one led by formerBoston Celtics starLarry Bird, made bids for the franchise.[55] On December 18, 2002, a group led byBET founderRobert L. Johnson was awarded the franchise,[56] allowing him to become the firstAfrican American majority owner inU.S. major professional sports since theNegro leagues.[57] The franchise with Johnson as its owner was approved by the NBA Board of Governors on January 10, 2003.[58] Hip-hop artistNelly became a notable co-owner.[59] The owners paid a $300 million expansion fee to enter the league.[60]
In June 2003, the team name was officially announced as the Bobcats.[61] The Charlotte Regional Sports Commission aided the naming process with a "Help Name The Team" effort that drew over 1,250 suggestions, with 'Flight' being the winner. However, it was discarded by Johnson and the team involved in creating the team's identity, being considered abstract and reminiscent of the then-currentIraq War aerial strikes.[62] Given Charlotte was already home to a cat-named team, theCarolina Panthers of theNational Football League, designer Chris Weiller made sure to create a logo that would not be similar to the Panthers logo.[62] It has also been speculated that Johnson chose the name "Bobcats" in reference to his own name.[63][64]
The Bobcats hiredBernie Bickerstaff as the first head coach andgeneral manager in franchise history.[65]A new arena to host the Bobcats inuptown Charlotte began construction in July 2003. The team would play its home games at the Coliseum until the new building was ready.
In the2005 NBA draft, the Bobcats draftedRaymond Felton andSean May fromNorth Carolina.[71] Intheir second season, the Bobcats openedCharlotte Bobcats Arena with an overtime victory over the Celtics. Despite struggling for most of the year, they managed to close out the season with four straight wins to finish with a record of 26–56, an eight-game improvement from the previous season. After the season, the Bobcats announced that NBA legend and North Carolina nativeMichael Jordan had bought a minority stake in the team. As part of the deal, he became head of basketball operations, though Bickerstaff remained general manager.[72]
The Bobcats showed some improvement during the2006–07 season, posting a playoff-hopeful record of 22–33 late in February 2007. However, the team went through an eight-game losing streak and dropped their record to 22–41 by early March 2007. Following the slump, Jordan announced that Bickerstaff would not return to coach the following season, but would finish coaching the remainder of the 2006–07 season.[65] The Bobcats won 11 of their last 19 games of Bickerstaff's tenure to finish their third season 33–49. On June 3, 2007,Charlotte Coliseum was demolished, marking a bitter end to the original Hornets era as it was the home of Charlotte's original NBA franchise. The arena was only 19 years old, owned by the city of Charlotte, but was already considered outdated because of a lack of luxury boxes and suites. The arena was designed for college basketball as part of Charlotte's push to maintain their presence in theACC basketball tournament rotation.[73]
Front office and coaching were key focuses for the Bobcats during the 2007 off-season.Rod Higgins was hired asgeneral manager,[74] andSam Vincent was hired as the second head coach in franchise history.[75] In the2007 NBA draft,Brandan Wright was selected by the Bobcats with the eighth pick; he was subsequently traded to Golden State forJason Richardson. The Bobcats were unable to capitalize on off-season moves, finishing the2007–08 season with a 32–50 record. The team struggled amid rumors of players clashing with the coach.[76] After a year, during which he struggled with personnel decisions,Sam Vincent was fired in April 2008.[77]
On April 29, 2008, the Bobcats reached an agreement to hireBasketball Hall of FamerLarry Brown as the third head coach in franchise history.[78] In the2008 NBA draft, the Bobcats selectedD. J. Augustin fromTexas ninth overall. On December 10, 2008, a little over a month into the season, the Bobcats obtainedBoris Diaw andRaja Bell in a trade with Phoenix. The trade turned out to be successful as the team came close to reaching the franchise's first playoff berth, but finished four games out of eighth place with a record of 35–47. Following the season, majority ownerBob Johnson announced he was putting the team up for sale.[79]
During the off-season, the team pickedGerald Henderson fromDuke 12th overall in the2009 NBA draft. The Bobcats tradedEmeka Okafor for New Orleans Hornets' centerTyson Chandler, and through more trades acquiredStephen Jackson andAcie Law from theGolden State Warriors.[80] On February 27, 2010, it was announced that Johnson had decided to sell the team to Jordan, allowing Jordan to become the first former NBA player to become majority owner of a franchise.[81]
On April 9, 2010, the Bobcats clinched their firstplayoff berth since 2002 with a 104–103 road win over the New Orleans Hornets,[82] finishing the2009–10 season with an overall record of 44–38, their first-ever winning season. Gerald Wallace was a huge factor in the playoff run as he became the Bobcats' first and onlyNBA All-Star. However, the Bobcats were swept by theOrlando Magic in four games.[83]
In the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Charlotte lost often, including their last 23 games. During their season finale against theNew York Knicks, the Bobcats recorded yet another loss as their win percentage dropped to .106, setting a new record for the worst season ever by an NBA team (as this season was shortened by the lockout, the 1972–73Philadelphia 76ers still hold the record for most losses in a season with 73). Overall, the team's record was 7–59. On April 30, 2012, the Bobcats announced that Silas would not return as head coach.[89]St. John's assistantMike Dunlap was named as his successor.[90]
Despite finishing the season with the worst record in NBA history, the Bobcats received the second overall pick.[91] With the second pick in the2012 NBA draft, the Bobcats selectedMichael Kidd-Gilchrist and selectedJeffery Taylor with the 31st pick.[92] They also addedBen Gordon,Ramon Sessions andBrendan Haywood in free agency. The Bobcats won their first game against the Pacers, snapping their 23-game losing streak. The team seemed to rebound with a 7–5 start to the season. However, they promptly went on an 18-game losing streak from which they never recovered, snapping the streak with a win at Chicago. Charlotte finished 21–61, the second-worst record in the league.[93] Dunlap was fired on April 23, reportedly because the players were turned off by his heavy-handed coaching style. He would be replaced by formerLos Angeles Lakers assistant head coachSteve Clifford.
During the2013 NBA draft, the Bobcats selected power forward/centerCody Zeller 4th overall.[94] The Bobcats would also obtain formerUtah Jazz centerAl Jefferson in free agency.[95] In February 2014, the team receivedGary Neal andLuke Ridnour in a trade with the Bucks. The new players and coaching staff worked as the Bobcats clinched aplayoff berth for the second time in franchise history by beating Cleveland on the road. Charlotte finished the regular season 43–39.[96] However, the Bobcats were swept in four games by defending champion Miami in the first round.[97]
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 2014–15 NBA season, pending a majority vote for approval by the NBA Board of Governors at a meeting inLas Vegas on July 18, 2013.[98] The NBA announced, on July 18, 2013, that it had unanimously approved the rebranding, which would begin upon the conclusion of the 2013–14 season.[99]
The Bobcats announced on November 22, they would adopt a modified version of the original Hornets' teal-purple-white color palette, with black, gray and Carolina blue as accents.[4][100] The team officially unveiled its future logo and identity scheme during halftime of their December 21 game against the Jazz.[5] The team also started the "Buzz City" campaign to hype up the Hornets return.[101] On January 16, 2014, the Bobcats revealed new Hornets shirts, hats and gear.[102]
On May 20, 2014, the Bobcats officially became the second incarnation of the Charlotte Hornets. At a press conference regarding the change, team officials also announced that as part of a deal with the NBA and the renamedNew Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte acquired the history and records of the 1988–2002 Hornets (in a move similar to that of theNational Football League'sCleveland Browns return to the league in1999), while all of the Hornets' records during their time in New Orleans from 2002 to 2013 remained with the Pelicans.[1][103][104] The Hornets are nowretconned as having suspended operations from 2002 to 2004, while the Pelicans are considered a 2002 expansion team. Charlotte had already been using past footage of the original Hornets as part of the "Buzz City" campaign.
Thefollowing year, the team improved to 48–34 overall, following the acquisition of players such asNicolas Batum,Jeremy Lamb, andJeremy Lin.[110] It was the best season in franchise history since the original Hornets era. Charlotte returned to the playoffs, where they lost to the Heat in seven games in the first round.[111] Along the way, they defeated the Heat twice at Time Warner Cable Arena, the franchise's first playoff wins since the original Hornets era.
The Hornets had a successful 2017 off-season. They shipped Plumlee and Belinelli and the 41st pick in the2017 NBA draft to theAtlanta Hawks for former All-starDwight Howard and the 31st pick in the 2017 draft.[114] The trade reunited Howard with head coach Steve Clifford, both of whom worked together during Howard's time in Orlando and Los Angeles.[115] In the draft, Charlotte selectedMalik Monk with the 11th overall pick, as well asFrank Jackson with the 31st pick.[116] They then sent Jackson to New Orleans for cash considerations and swing-manDwayne Bacon who was drafted 40th overall. Sessions signed with theNew York Knicks, and, to replace the backup guard, they brought in former rookie of the yearMichael Carter-Williams from theChicago Bulls.[117]
In the 2017–18 season Kemba Walker was selected for his second NBA All-Star appearance and passed Dell Curry for most three-pointers and the all-time leading scorer. At the end of the 2017–18 season, the Hornets did not renew the contract of general manager Rich Cho. In April 2018,Mitch Kupchak was named as the new president of basketball operations and general manager.[118] On April 13, 2018, the Hornets fired head coach Steve Clifford after five seasons, who coached the team to a 196–214 record total,[119] and namedJames Borrego as his replacement on May 10.[120]
On July 23, 2018,Tony Parker, who spent the previous 17 years of his career with theSan Antonio Spurs, signed with the Hornets.[121] In January 2019 Kemba Walker was named an All-Star Game starter for the Eastern Conference, his first starting role in an All-Star Game, and matched only Glen Rice for his third All-Star Game appearance in his Hornets career.[122] During the2018–19 season, Charlotte finished the season with a 39–43 record finishing 2nd in the division and 9th in the Eastern Conference.
On November 18, 2020, the Hornets selectedLaMelo Ball with the third overall pick.[125] The Hornets also draftedVernon Carey Jr. andGrant Riller in the second round of the2020 NBA draft.[126] On November 29, 2020, the Hornets would acquireGordon Hayward in a sign-and-trade deal with theBoston Celtics.[127] The Hornets finished the 2020–21 season 10th in the East with a 33–39 overall record.[128] On June 16, 2021, Ball was named 2020–21 NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the third player in franchise history to win the award.[129]
On February 7, 2022, Ball was named to his firstNBA All-Star Game as an injury replacement forKevin Durant.[130] The Hornets would clinch a spot in theplay-in tournament for the second consecutive time although losing to fellow Southeast division foe theAtlanta Hawks 132–103.[131] On April 22, 2022, the Hornets fired head coachJames Borrego after four seasons with the team.[132][133] The team finished the 2021–2022 season with a 43–39 overall record.[134]
On June 24, 2022, the Hornets namedSteve Clifford as new head coach marking his second stint as the team's head coach.[135] During the off-season, notable additions included draftingDuke centerMark Williams with the 15th pick of the2022 NBA draft and the free agent signing of point guard and North Carolina nativeDennis Smith Jr.[136][137]
During the2022–23 NBA season, the Hornets endured injuries to a majority of the roster, leading to a poor season which ended with a 27–55 record, the fourth worst in the league. Lamelo Ball only played 36 games. However,Mark Williams proved his immense potential.[138]
On June 16, 2023, Jordan announced he was selling his majority stake in the team to a group led byGabe Plotkin andRick Schnall.[142] The transaction, sold at $3 billion, was approved by the NBA on July 23, 2023.[143]
On April 3, 2024Steve Clifford announced he would step into an advisor role following a 21–61 season. He finished as the Hornets all time win leader.[144] On May 9, 2024, Celtics assistantCharles Lee was announced as his successor, receiving a 4-year deal.[145]
Brandon Miller had a successful rookie season, averaging 17 points per game and finishing third inRookie of the Year voting despite a strong rookie class.[146] Lamelo Ball once again struggled with injury, only playing 22 games. Mark Williams also only played 19 games on the season.Terry Rozier was dealt to Miami at the trade deadline for a pick and veteran guardKyle Lowry.[147] Another addition wasGrant Williams from the Dallas Mavericks, acquired in a trade forPJ Washington.[148] Gordon Hayward was also dealt away. After the season, former playerKemba Walker was hired to be a player enhancement coach.
The Hornets' logo was ateal and purple anthropomorphic hornet wearing white shoes and gloves dribbling an orange basketball. The words 'Charlotte Hornets' were in teal and curved across the top and bottom of the logo. An alternate logo, used only for the 1988–89 season, featured a large teal letter 'C', with 'Charlotte' in black letters curved upwards underneath. Inside the 'C' was a smaller white letter 'H' outlined in teal, with a black-colored hornet holding a basketball from birds-eye view placed in the center.
The Bobcats' primary logo from 2004 to 2012 consisted of a snarling orange bobcat facing to the right with the indented name 'Bobcats' above in silver on a blue background, with 'Charlotte' (also indented) appearing above it in the same blue color. A change to a less vibrant orange and blue, while retaining the same look, was made in 2007. Further color changes in 2012 made the bobcat gray, extended the blue background up to the 'Charlotte' name, which changed from blue to orange. A Carolina blue outline around the entire logo was also added. In 2007 the Bobcats unveiled a secondary logo, consisting of a snarling bobcat head facing forward with one side shaded orange, and the other blue. A silver basketball was placed behind the right of the head, all encased in an orange-blue-gray circle. During the 2012 rebranding, the colors were changed, with gray and Carolina blue replacing orange on the head and circle outline, respectively, and the basketball changing to orange. This logo would become prominent in the team's marketing and be featured at center court from 2007–08 until 2013–14.
Charlotte's second Hornets logo features a teal and purple forward-facing hornet with the words 'Charlotte Hornets' on its torso. Wings sprout up above the head on both left and right, with teal and purple details. The hornet's stinger is prominently featured; a basketball pattern is above the stinger. Gray fully outlines the logo.[5]Among the team's different secondary logos includes a hornet facing to the side, its teal and purple body arched in a 'C' shape representing the city of Charlotte, and a modified version of the Hornets original logo (sans the basketball) as the official mascot logo.[5]
The original Hornets uniforms were designed by international designer and North Carolina nativeAlexander Julian. The team chose teal and purple as its primary colors and featured a first for NBA uniforms—pinstripes. While most teams feature team names on home jerseys and their home city on away jerseys, the Hornets' uniforms had "Charlotte" on both home and away jerseys. Home uniforms were white with pinstripes in teal, green, blue and purple, while the away jerseys were teal with pinstripes in white, green, blue and purple.
In 1994, the Hornets unveiled a purple alternate uniform, with pinstripes in white, green, blue and teal. Likewise, Hugo was featured in the beltline.
From 1997 to 2002, the Hornets made slight changes to their uniforms. Hugo was moved from the beltline to the left leg, while side stripes with pinstripes were added, in purple (away) and teal (home) colors. A tricolor featuring teal, purple and blue was featured on the beltline and the piping.
The Bobcats' first homejerseys were white, reading "Bobcats" in orange with blue and black trimming. The primary away jersey was orange reading "Charlotte" in white with blue and black trimming.[149] In the 2006 off-season, the Bobcats announced a new alternate away jersey which debuted during the 2006–07 season. The alternate jersey is blue, with the name "Bobcats" in white with black, orange and white trimming.[150] Racing Day blue alternates (with an arched 'Charlotte', checkered flag side stripes, and centered numbers) were used to honor Charlotte'sNASCAR fanbase.
For the 2009–10 season, the Bobcats sported redesigned uniforms, having a mixture of characteristics from both Hornets and Bobcats uniforms. The home uniforms were white and featured an arched "Bobcats" in blue with orange and white trim. Road uniforms were blue and featured an arched "Charlotte" in white with blue and orange trim. Both designs featured silver pinstripes, similar to what the Hornets wore. The NASCAR uniform was also updated to include the pinstripes. For the 2011–12 season, however, the Bobcats wore their home uniforms on NASCAR night, complete with aracing flag patch.
The Bobcats unveiled new uniforms on June 19, 2012, their second and final change in five years. Overall, they featured less emphasis on orange. The white home uniforms sported the shorter nickname 'Cats' in navy andCarolina blue trim, while the numbers were in Carolina blue and navy trim, with navy side stripes. The navy away uniforms featured 'Charlotte' in white and Carolina blue trim, with the numbers featured the same trim as the city name, with Carolina blue side stripes. In both uniforms, the pinstripes were relegated to the sides. The uniforms bore a close resemblance to theDallas Mavericks uniforms. The addition of Carolina blue was seen as way to connect owner Michael Jordan'scollegiate roots, while the formal adoption of 'Cats' for marketing purposes reflected a popular nickname.[152]
Cody Zeller in 2016, wearing revived Hornets uniform design with teal and dark purple
The newly renamed Hornets unveiled the team's uniforms on June 19, 2014, consisting of white home and purple road uniforms with the "Hornets" wordmark across the chest. The team also unveiled a teal alternate uniform with the "Charlotte" wordmark across the chest. The teal uniform is planned to be used as an alternate uniform for either home or road games and worn a total of 16–20 times per season.[153]
On June 25, 2015, the Hornets unveiled a black sleeved alternate uniform, featuring their "Buzz City" nickname in front. The team wore the uniform for as many as six games during the2015–16 NBA season.[154] It was also worn during select games of the2016 NBA playoffs.
For the 2017–18 season and beyond, the Hornets have been outfitted byNike'sAir Jordan brand endorsed by franchise owner Michael Jordan. The white "Association" uniform and the teal "Icon" uniform feature the "Hornets" wordmark in front and the silhouetted hornet on the waistband.[155] The purple "Statement" uniform is similar to the "Icon" and "Association" uniforms, but feature the "Charlotte" wordmark in front.[156]
The Hornets revamped their purple "Statement" uniforms prior to the 2019–20 season. The front of the uniform featured the "CHA" acronym in bold white letters with teal trim, while teal "stinger" stripes accentuate the sides. The silhouetted Hornets logo was moved to the sides of the shorts while the partial logo was placed on the beltline.[157]
On August 31, 2020, the Hornets unveiled new uniforms that include double pinstriped jerseys that pay homage to the jerseys worn from 1997 until 2002. These are the first Hornets regular jerseys to include pinstripes since they wore them as the Bobcats from 2009 to 2012.[158][159]
Before the 2022–23 season, the Hornets again made slight changes to the purple "Statement" uniform. The uniform brought back the "Hornets" wordmark in front along with white numbers and teal cell accents on each side. The "C" alternate logo was added on the beltline and the alternate "curled hornet" logo was placed below the teal cells on the shorts.[160]
The Hornets' "City" uniforms were slight updates of Adidas' sleeved "Buzz City" uniforms. The 2017–18 version featured black letters with white trim on a black base and the sides featured a wing pattern of a hornet.[161] The 2018–19 version was slightly tweaked to feature teal lettering and a new logo reminiscent of the original Air Jordan "Wings" logo.[162]
The "City" uniform for the 2019–20 season moved away from the "Buzz City" concept and went with a cool grey base, purple, teal and black piping, "CHA" acronym in purple and white numbers with purple trim. A cell pattern adorned the sides.[163][164]
Charlotte's "City" uniform for the 2020–21 season paid homage to the city's history as the first to house aU.S. Branch Mint and theCarolina Gold Rush. The base color ismint and letters and numbers are in granite black with metallic gold trim. Pinstripes are in gold. It also brought back the "Buzz City" crest in front.[165] This theme was then revisited in their 2022–23 "City" uniform, this in granite black with "CLT" (Charlotte's main abbreviation) in gold with mint trim. Pinstripes alternate between gold and mint.[166]
For the 2021–22 season, the Hornets' "City" uniform visually mixed various elements from previous identities. The cursive "Charlotte" wordmark was inspired by the banners displayed during the franchise's 1988 uniform unveiling. The number placement on the left chest was reminiscent of the Bobcats' original uniforms. The purple cells recalled the court design used at the Charlotte Coliseum, and the teal gradient contained pinstripes, reminiscent of the uniforms worn from 1988 to 1997. The original "Hugo" logo was placed on the left leg, and the script "Hornets" wordmark was added to the right leg. Along the jock tag the Hornets added the "EST. 1988" sign acknowledging the team's inaugural year.[167]
In the 2023–24 season, the Hornets mixed both the "Buzz City" and Charlotte Mint themes for their "City" uniform. The design is a teal base with gold trim and mint side panels, with "Buzz City" in white with gold trim emblazoned in front.[168] The mint theme was revisited anew in the 2024–25 "City" uniform, this time using the white "Association" uniform as the basis of the design.[169]
The "Classic" edition featured a revival of the original Hornets pinstriped uniforms in the current Nike template. The teal version was used in the 2017–18 season,[170] followed by a white version in 2018–19, complete with an alternate court marking the 30th anniversary of NBA basketball in Charlotte.[171] For 2019–20, the Hornets wore purple versions of the pinstriped uniforms to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the uniform's unveiling.[172] For the 35th anniversary season in 2023–24, the Hornets wore the throwback double pinstriped teal uniforms with purple side stripes, which they wore from 1997 to 2002. However, the Classic Edition court was not used with the uniform.[173]
Spectrum Center (2005–present)(known as Charlotte Bobcats Arena from 2005 to 2008 and Time Warner Cable Arena from 2008 to 2016)[175]
The Hornets played their first 15 seasons at theCharlotte Coliseum, which was called "The Hive" by fans. With over 23,000 seats, it was (and still remains) the largest basketball-specific venue in the league by seating capacity. The Coliseum hosted 371 consecutive NBA sell-outs (including seven playoff games) from December 1988 to November 1997.[176] The Hornets would go on to lead the NBA in attendance in eight of its first nine seasons. When Charlotte returned to the NBA as the Bobcats, they temporarily played in the Coliseum in the 2004–05 season while their new arena (the Charlotte Bobcats Arena) was being built. After its completion, the city closed the old Coliseum in the 2005 off-season and opened the new arena with aRolling Stones concert.In April 2008, the Bobcats reached anaming rights deal withTime Warner Cable, North Carolina's largestcable television provider. In exchange for the naming rights, Time Warner agreed to tear up the cable television deal that had limited the Bobcats' exposure over the team's first four years (see below).[177][178] When the Hornets returned to Charlotte, "The Hive" nickname also returned to the arena. In August 2016, the arena was renamed the Spectrum Center after Time Warner's merger withCharter Communications and itsSpectrum consumer/business branding.[179]
The Hornets practice at theNovant Health Training Center, located within the Spectrum Center. Previously the team practiced at theGrady Cole Center in the Elizabeth neighborhood before moving to a purpose-built facility inFort Mill, South Carolina located besideKnights Castle; this facility is now known asThe Pointe Arts and Recreation Center.
The Hornets hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. A drafted player is ostensibly either an international draftee or a college draftee who is not signed by the team that drafted him, is allowed to sign with any non-NBA teams. In this case, the team retains the player's draft rights in the NBA until one year after the player's contract with the non-NBA team ends.[180] This list includes draft rights that were acquired from trades with other teams.
The Charlotte Hornets retired Phills' number on February 9, 2000, after his death in an automobile accident in Charlotte. His jersey hung from the rafters of the Charlotte Coliseum until the franchise relocated in May 2002; it was then displayed in the New Orleans Arena until 2013. On November 1, 2014, Phills' jersey was returned to Charlotte, where it was re-honored and currently hangs in the Spectrum Center.[210][211][212]
The NBA retiredBill Russell's No. 6 for all its member teams on August 11, 2022.[213][214]
Hugo The Hornet is the currentmascot of the franchise. Shortly after the news that Charlotte would get the Hornets name back, at halftime of a December 21, 2013, game between Charlotte and theUtah Jazz, Hugo was announced to return as the Charlotte Hornets' new mascot for the 2014–15 NBA season.[5]
From 2004 to 2014,Rufus D. Lynx was the mascot of the Bobcats.[219][220] He first appeared on November 1, 2003, according to his official bio on the Bobcats' website. The name comes from the scientific name of thebobcat, which isLynx rufus. During the2012 NBA All-Star Jam Session, Rufus D. Lynx broke a world record along withCoyote,Grizz,Hooper, and Sly the Silver Fox for most "between the legs" basketball dunks.[221][222]Bleacher Report ranked Rufus as the 8th best mascot in the NBA.[223] Rufus D. Lynx is featured inNBA Jam 2010.[224] Rufus D. Lynx was officially retired following the conclusion of the 2013–14 NBA season, and the Hornets made him a farewell video in May 2014.[225] The updatedHugo was unveiled on an around the city tour on June 5, 2014.[226]
The Hornets have an officialcheerleading squad known as theCharlotte Honey Bees. The Honey Bees perform sideline dances as well as center-court dances during games. They also represent the Hornets brand as ambassadors to the community and are involved in community service activities and charity functions. When the team was known as the Bobcats, the cheerleaders were called the Lady Cats.[227]
From 1988 to 1992, the Hornets aired most road games, and occasional home games, on a network of stations in North Carolina,South Carolina andVirginia fronted byWCCB in Charlotte. WCCB's longtime owner,Cy Bahakel, was a minority partner in the Hornets' original ownership group. Starting with the 1990–91 season, several games also aired on the original SportSouth, forerunner ofBally Sports South, for customers in North and South Carolina.WJZY became the Hornets' over-the-air flagship in 1992, and remained as such until 1998. From 1995 to 1998, some games aired on WJZY's sister station, WFVT-TV (nowWMYT-TV).WAXN-TV became the flagship for the 1998–99 season, and remained as such until the original team departed in 2002. Generally, most home games slated for telecast aired on SportSouth/Fox Sports South.[228]
When the team returned as the Bobcats in 2004, Johnson partnered with Time Warner to createCarolinas Sports Entertainment Television (C-SET), aregional sports network. It aired 60 Bobcats games that also aired onComporium Cable in the South Carolina portion of the Charlotte market. However, Time Warner placed C-SET on itsdigital package as an incentive to try to get customers to switch to its digital service, leaving analog customers in the dark. It also refused to allowDirecTV orDish Network to pick up C-SET on their local feeds. As a result, Time Warner customers without digital cable, as well aswestern North Carolina and most of South Carolina, were left to rely on radio coverage.
C-SET folded on the day of the 2005 NBA draft, and most games then moved toNews 14 Carolina, a cable news channel available on Time Warner Cable's systems in Charlotte, theTriad and theTriangle. However, this still left viewers in most of South Carolina (except for the South Carolina side of the Charlotte area, which saw games on Comporium) as well aseastern and western North Carolina, out in the cold. News 14 was also not available on satellite.
As part of the Time Warner Cable Arena deal, the Bobcats signed over broadcasting rights to Fox Sports South. Starting with the last five games of the 2007–08 season, about 70 games per season were shown on Fox Sports Carolinas (Fox Sports South's new regional feed, now reintegrated toBally Sports South) and sister network Sportsouth (renamed Fox Sports Southeast in 2015 and laterBally Sports Southeast in 2021) in North and South Carolina. The deal is believed to be the first simultaneous naming rights and broadcast rights deal in the history of North American professional sports.[177] As of the 2020–21 season, Hornets games are carried by Bally Sports Southeast withEric Collins andDell Curry, along with in-game reporter andHornets Live hostShannon Spake.[229] Former personnel include:Stephanie Ready, who worked as a sideline reporter and in-game analyst for the Hornets for a decade before moving toTurner Sports in 2018, and long time Hornets broadcasterSteve Martin, who retired after the 2017–18 season.[230]
For the team's first four seasons after their return to the league, select games also aired on a network of over-the-air stations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, fronted by WJZY from 2004 to 2006 and WMYT from 2006 to 2008.
The team's radio flagship is all-sports stationWFNZ-FM. Before 2010, games had aired onWOLS. WOLS switched its non-sports programming fromoldies to Spanish language on January 1, 2009, making Bobcats and Duke basketball the station's only non-Spanish language programming.WBT was the Hornets' radio flagship during the original franchise's entire run.
^Kahsay, Jordan (October 24, 2008)."Hornets Sign Marvin Williams".Hornets.com. NBA Media Ventures LLC.Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. RetrievedNovember 22, 2020.
^"Hornets unveil City Edition uniforms".Hornets.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. November 22, 2019.Archived from the original on November 27, 2019. RetrievedNovember 27, 2019.
^Coon, Larry."NBA Salary Cap FAQ – 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement".Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. RetrievedApril 13, 2014.If the player is already under contract to, or signs a contract with a non-NBA team, the team retains the player's draft rights for one year after the player's obligation to the non-NBA team ends. Essentially, the clock stops as long as the player plays pro ball outside the NBA.
^"Rufus Lynx Player Page".Bobcats.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. September 20, 2011.Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. RetrievedMarch 22, 2013.
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