The Buzz is Back

It is official!  After the live-streamed press conference from Charlotte, the name change is complete.  Nothing news worthy here, we have known this was coming for months.  Why then have a press conference?  I mean, it must serve some use other than showing off their cool Hornets video, right?  Right!  Here are the 5 things you should take away from today:

5) The city and the fan base for the team are excited!  Social media has exploded, merchandise sales are through the roof, and the turn out for low level events such as color announcements, like there was any doubt purple and teal were coming back, has impressed.  So when the season opener hits, there will be no shortage of purple and teal in North Carolina.

4) It may take some time to get used to calling them the Hornets again.  At the end of the program, the moderator ask anyone wanting more information to visit "Bobcats-dot-com" but quickly caught himself. 

3) The team "alumni" will be back.  Look for many appearances from greats like Larry Johnson, Alonzo Morning, Dell Curry, and many others!

2) The Hornets lead the league in new season ticket sales since the name change, and in season ticket sale retention from last year.  The excitement is back!

1) Through the Pelicans and the NBA, the Hornets have retained their team history.  Wait, team history?  I thought we wanted to erase the Bobcat history and start fresh?  This is really a good thing! This will link the old Hornets to the new Hornets, which is ultimately the goal.  The franchise that had sell out games, a thriving fan base, and won playoff series is back, almost like they never left.  Think of it as a long break, and now they are here again!

-Matt