Charlotte Hornets
Buzz City
The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at the Spectrum Center.
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.
Reader's Guide
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 were originally going to be called the Charlotte Spirit, but a name-the-team contest yielded 'Hornets' as the winning choice.
- The team's uniforms, designed by Alexander Julian, featured pin stripes, a first for NBA uniforms.
- The Hornets led the NBA in attendance in their inaugural season, a feat they would achieve seven more times in Charlotte.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the historical connection between the Pelicans and Hornets?
The New Orleans franchise originated as the Charlotte Hornets before relocating in 2002. This shared lineage creates a unique bond where both teams claim parts of the same organizational history.
Why do these teams share a franchise lineage?
Economic factors led the original owner to move the team from North Carolina to Louisiana over two decades ago. Charlotte later received an expansion team, resulting in two separate clubs with one origin story.
More in Great Rivalries
Elsewhere in New Orleans Pelicans
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced