After many years as the Charlotte Hornets, the team changed their name to the Bobcats, and now it appears that after an unsuccessful run with the new team name, the Hornets name will be returning.
In addition the return of the franchise name, a new Charlotte Hornets logo will also be coming to Charlotte, and hopefully bringing life to a team that has struggled greatly in recent years.
As the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, it is up to Michael Jordan, and for several seasons, he has been saying that he wanted to return the team to the status that they used to have.
When the Hornets became the mascot for New Orleans, it had prevented Charlotte from being the Hornets again, but with New Orleans’ recent switch to the Pelicans mascot, a new name, and new Charlotte Hornets logo will soon be presented for the basketball team.
The new logo of the Charlotte Hornets was unveiled during their last game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Michael Jordan presented the logo, saying that it was a special night for all fans in the Carolinas. It was announced in May that the time would be undergoing the name change following the decision from New Orleans.
During the presentation, Fred Whitfield, the president of the Charlotte Bobcats said “We developed a logo that physically depicted the characteristics and DNA of the type of team we want on the court, as well as those of hornets and the city of Charlotte.”
Change your profile pictures to the new #CharlotteHornets logo and as we celebrate our new brand identity! #BuzzCity pic.twitter.com/fOajNOilqI
— Charlotte Bobcats (@bobcats) December 22, 2013
The Bobcats joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 2004, and have struggled to build as a franchise since then. Michael Jordan purchased a majority stake in the Bobcats in 2010, and has attempted to try to turn around the program since.
The new Charlotte Hornets logo features a hornet in a vertical position with piercing eyes, expanded wings, raised antenae and a pointed stinger that protrudes from a torso that includes a basketball in the design.
MJ brought back the Charlotte Hornets name, logo & color scheme. Best decisions he's ever made as an executive.
— Chicken Grease (@CL_Blessed14) December 23, 2013
Wow the Charlotte Hornets are back!!!! With a nice logo too. Nice move jordan
— John Cortez (@JohnnyBoy_C) December 23, 2013
The updated logo features a much fiercer looking Hornet than was used in the past, with the hope being that the toughness will translate to the court, and improve the team’s spirit.
With changing the name back, and an updated, tough-looking hornet on the Charlotte Hornets logo, Carolina will hope to improve as a franchise in the coming years. The new name and logo will take effect at the beginning of the 2014-2015 season.
What do fans think of the logo? Was it a smart decision to return to the old name?
Image via Youtube
