Grant Hill Return Signing

Lore & Background

The Charlotte Hornets franchise was established in 1988 as an expansion team owned by George Shinn. In 2002, Shinn moved the franchise to New Orleans, where they began play as the New Orleans Hornets, later rebranding as the Pelicans in 2013. The team would return as an expansion team, known as the Charlotte Bobcats, in the 2004–05 NBA season. In 2013, following the rebranding of the New Orleans Hornets to the Pelicans, the Bobcats announced they would begin playing as the Charlotte Hornets in the 2014–15 season, along with reclaiming the history and official records of the original Charlotte Hornets, statistically making the Hornets one continuous NBA team.

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with a rare electricity as Grant Hill walked through the tunnel, the familiar blue and teal jersey draped over his shoulders. The crowd rose in unison, not just cheering, but singing the name that had defined an era. As he touched the rim after a simple layup, the roar was deafening—a reminder of the glory days when he was the undisputed king of this court.

Reader's Guide

The Hornets' first NBA game took place on November 4, 1988 at the Charlotte Coliseum, where they lost 133–93 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team finished its inaugural season with a record of 20–62. The Hornets led the NBA in attendance in their first season, a feat they would achieve seven more times in Charlotte. As of 2026, the Hornets are the only NBA franchise to have never won a division title, and one of two franchises alongside the New Orleans Pelicans to have never advanced to the conference finals.

Did You Know?

• The Hornets' name originates from British General Cornwallis, who allegedly described Charlotte as 'a hornet's nest of rebellion' following the Battle of Charlotte in 1780.
• The team's teal primary color set off a sports fashion craze in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
• Michael Jordan acquired a minority stake in the franchise on June 15, 2006, and later purchased a majority share on February 17, 2010. He sold his majority stake in August 2023 but retained a minority share.