What is the origin of the New Orleans Pelicans'name?
The team name is inspired by Louisiana's state bird, the brown pelican. The name "Pelicans" previously had been used by a minor-league baseball team that played in New Orleans from 1901 to 1957.
What is the difference between the New Orleans Pelicans and Louisiana?
The Louisiana state bird is the brown pelican while Pelicans had a history as a sports mascot in New Orleans connected to multiple baseball teams. The franchise originated in Charlotte as the Hornets in 1987. Then owner George Shinn moved the team out of Charlotte in 2002 and took them to New Orleans.
What is the New Orleans Pelicans'mascot?
The Pelicans' prior mascot was Hugo the Hornet, who was part of the organization from 2002 to 2013. Hugo returned as the mascot for the Charlotte Hornets starting with the 2014–15 season.
What are the draft rights of the New Orleans Pelicans?
The Pelicans hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. A drafted player, 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.
See more
What were the New Orleans Pelicans called before?
New Orleans HornetsNew Orleans Pelicans / Former nameThe Pelicans were established as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002–03 season when George Shinn, then owner of the Charlotte Hornets, relocated the franchise to New Orleans.
When did New Orleans Pelicans change name?
2013Looking to cement ties with its home city, the franchise changed its name from the Hornets (which was a reference to the “hornet's nest” of American rebels in Charlotte during the American Revolution) to the Pelicans in 2013.
Why did New Orleans change from Hornets to Pelicans?
Team owner Tom Benson said the mascot was changed to a Pelican because there was no connection between the city of New Orleans and the name "Hornets." He said the Pelicans would form a better bond with the city. This was a successful change.
What did the Charlotte Hornets used to be called?
the BobcatsCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Hornets are back. The NBA franchise announced Tuesday at a news conference that it has officially changed its name back to the Hornets after 10 years of being known as the Bobcats.
Why did Bobcats change name?
Although owner Tom Benson said the Hornets' mascot name didn't fit in New Orleans for his NBA team, Charlotte owner Michael Jordan thought it was more than appropriate to reclaim it.
When did Bobcats become Hornets?
To summarize: after the 2002 season, the original Hornets moved to New Orleans. In 2004, Charlotte was granted a new franchise, the Bobcats. After the 2013–14 season, the Bobcats changed their name back to the Hornets and reclaimed the history and records of the 1988–2002 Hornets.
When did the Jazz move to Utah?
1979The franchise began play as an expansion team in the 1974–75 season as the New Orleans Jazz (as a tribute to New Orleans' history of originating jazz music). The Jazz relocated to Salt Lake City prior to the 1979–80 season. The Jazz were one of the least successful teams in the league in their early years.
What team was the Bobcats?
LaMelo BallPoint guardMiles BridgesPower forwardGordon HaywardPower forwardKelly Oubre Jr.Small forwardTerry RozierPoint guardMark WilliamsCenterCharlotte Hornets/Players
Will the Pelicans change their name?
Hornets to officially become Pelicans. NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Hornets owner Tom Benson is changing his team's nickname to the Pelicans and said the switch will create a bond with the city that could lead to a championship. The Hornets announced Thursday they are going ahead with the name change.
Why did Charlotte become the Bobcats?
Given Charlotte was already home to a cat-named team, the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, designer Chris Weiller made sure to create a logo that would not be similar to the Panthers logo. It has also been speculated that Johnson chose the name "Bobcats" in reference to his own name.
Where did the Charlotte Bobcats come from?
Charlotte, NCCharlotte Hornets / Location
What NBA team does Nelly own?
Nelly. In 2004, Nelly purchased a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats. The team is currently owned by NBA superstar Michael Jordan.
Why did Pelicans change their name?
New Orleans HornetsNew Orleans Pelicans / Former name
Why are the Pelicans called Nola?
The team name is inspired by Louisiana's state bird, the brown pelican. The name "Pelicans" can be traced back in New Orleans to the 1865 founding of the New Orleans Pelicans, an amateur baseball team.
When did the Jazz move to Utah?
1979The franchise began play as an expansion team in the 1974–75 season as the New Orleans Jazz (as a tribute to New Orleans' history of originating jazz music). The Jazz relocated to Salt Lake City prior to the 1979–80 season. The Jazz were one of the least successful teams in the league in their early years.
What is the newest team in the NBA?
The most recent examples of the expansion of the NBA are the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat in 1988, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic in 1989, Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995 (who relocated to Memphis in 2001), and New Orleans Pelicans in 2002....Expansion of the National Basketball Association.Progression of NBA Expansion2004–present3020 more rows
What is the name of the New Orleans Pelicans?
Until the conclusion of the 2012–13 season, the team was named the New Orleans Hornets. The name change came along with the purchase of the team by its new owner, Tom Benson. Early on in the purchasing process, Benson made it clear that he intended to change the name to something more "local". Inspiration for the name change is given to Louisiana's state bird, the brown pelican. The Pelicans have an overall franchise record of 498–552, along with six playoff qualifications. Their achievements include one playoff series victory and one division title.
What is the Pelican's record?
Inspiration for the name change is given to Louisiana's state bird, the brown pelican. The Pelicans have an overall franchise record of 498–552, along with six playoff qualifications. Their achievements include one playoff series victory and one division title.
Where did the Hornets move to after the Jazz moved to?
While even the NBA acknowledged that Shinn had alienated fans, league officials felt such a demand would anger other owners. The city council refused to remove the statement, leading the Hornets to request a move to New Orleans, returning the NBA to that city after the Jazz relocated to Salt Lake City in 1979.
What colors did the Hornets wear in 2008?
In August 2008, the Hornets unveiled a modified logo and new uniforms with the colors of Creole blue, purple, and Mardi Gras gold, and after six seasons, the pinstripes were reinstated on the uniforms. The script was changed as an allusion to the wrought iron architecture of New Orleans. An additional third logo was introduced, with the "NOLA" abbreviation and a trumpet. The team also publicly announced the sale of over 10,000 season tickets for the 2008–09 season.
What is the name of the Louisiana baseball team?
The team name is inspired by Louisiana's state bird, the brown pelican. The name "Pelicans" can be traced back in New Orleans to the 1865 founding of the New Orleans Pelicans , an amateur baseball team.
Who owns the Charlotte Hornets?
In 1987, the NBA awarded an expansion team to Charlotte named the Charlotte Hornets owned by George Shinn and a few other businessmen. While the Hornets continued to put a competitive team on the court, the team's attendance fell dramatically. Many attributed this lapse in popularity to the owner George Shinn, who was slowly becoming despised by the people of the city. In 1997, a Charlotte woman claimed that Shinn had raped her, and the resulting trial severely tarnished his reputation in the city. The consensus was that while Charlotte was a basketball city, fans took out their anger at Shinn on the team. Shinn had also become discontented with the Coliseum, which had been considered state-of-the-art when it opened but had since been considered obsolete due to a limited number of luxury boxes. On March 26, 2001, both the Hornets and the Vancouver Grizzlies applied for relocation to Memphis, Tennessee, which was eventually won by the Grizzlies. Shinn then issued an ultimatum that unless the city built a new arena at no cost to him, the Hornets would leave town. The city initially refused, leading Shinn to consider moving the team to either Norfolk, Louisville, or St. Louis. Of the cities in the running, only St. Louis had an NBA-ready arena, the Savvis Center, already in place and was a larger media market than Charlotte at the time; also, it was the only one of the four to have previously had an NBA franchise — the St. Louis Hawks, who moved to Atlanta in 1968.
When did the New Orleans Jazz move to Memphis?
The city acquired an NBA expansion franchise in June, 1974, but the New Orleans Jazz faced a number ...
When did the Pelicans change their name?
Looking to cement ties with its home city, the franchise changed its name from the Hornets (which was a reference to the “hornet’s nest” of American rebels in Charlotte during the American Revolution) to the Pelicans in 2013. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now.
Where are the Pelicans located?
The Pelicans, founded in 1988, were originally located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and were known as the Hornets. Early teams featured fleet-footed 5-foot 3-inch (1.60-metre) point guard Muggsy Bogues and sharpshooter Dell Curry, but, like most expansion teams, they won few of their games.
What conference is the New Orleans Pelicans in?
New Orleans Pelicans, American professional basketballteam based in New Orleansthat plays in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association(NBA).
What is the name of the basketball team in New Orleans?
New Orleans Pelicans, American professional basketball team based in New Orleans that plays in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The only major sport invented in the United States, basketball has become a global phenomenon. Dribble through history with Britannica and learn basketball’s history and exciting facts.
How many postseason appearances did the Hornets have in 1999?
In 1999–2000 the Hornets, behind the standout play of guard Baron Davis, began a stretch of five consecutive postseason appearances but again failed to progress any farther than one series win in a given year.
What is the NBA name for the New Orleans Pelicans?
The New Orleans entry in the NBA is now officially called the Pelicans. New Orleans Pelicans
What is the new name for the Pelicans?
The team formerly known as the Hornets announced Thursday that the team should now be called the Pelicans in all dealings. "We have been looking forward to this day since we announced the Pelicans as the new name," owner Tom Benson said in a statement.
When was the brown pelican taken off the endangered species list?
The brown pelican was taken off the endangered species list in 2009.
Who is the center of the Pelicans?
Guard Austin Rivers and center Anthony Davis are seen as two cornerstone players as the New Orleans Hornets rebuild and become the Pelicans. Photo: Reuters
What colors are the Pelicans?
The new insignia will also sport the new team colors of red, blue, and gold. "Pelicans" won out after several other names were considered, like the Swamp Dogs, Rougarou, Bull Sharks, and Mosquitos. At first the name change was panned as odd, but the large-water bird has a long history with the city and the state.
What is the state bird of Louisiana?
The New Orleans Pelicans were originally a minor baseball team that was founded in 1887, while the state bird of Louisiana is the pelican . The name change comes on the heels of new owner Tom Benson officially taking over the club this season.
Is Davis a franchise player?
Much heralded out of Kentucky, Davis is seen as a franchise player, and the young star, along with a brand new marketing campaign, could energize an otherwise lethargic New Orleans fan base. Currently tied for last place in the Western Conference with a 14-28 record, the Hornets could also use the change to turn a corner in an otherwise ...
When did the Pelicans start playing in the NBA?
The New Orleans Pelicans have technically only been an NBA team since 2012, but their history traces back to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1988. So how did a team with absolutely no NBA titles to its name sell out home games with no problem? To completely understand how that happened, you’ll have to take a look at the complete history of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Where did the Pelicans play in 2002?
From 2002 until now, the Pelicans have played at the stadium now known as the Smoothie King Center. However, the team also called the Ford Center in Oklahoma City home after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina until 2007. Back in Charlotte until 2002, the Hornets played at the Charlotte Coliseum.
What is the name of the Hornets team?
During that same year, the New Orleans Hornets were renamed to “Pelicans,” a nod to the Louisiana state bird. The renaming of the team led Charlotte Bobcats’ owner Michael Jordan to request a name change to his own team, bringing the Hornets back to Charlotte.
Why did the Charlotte Hornets move to New Orleans?
However, the team was forced to relocate once more on a technicality after the devastating Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans directly . During the 2 years following the hurricane, the Hornets played in Oklahoma City, setting the stage for the Seattle Sonics to relocate to the city a few years later.
What is the New Orleans logo?
The 2014 logo is still used today by the New Orleans Pelicans. This logo has “New Orleans” written in white font across the top. There’s also a gold, blue, and red pelican in the center of the logo with its wings spread. The name “Pelicans” is written in small white lettering at the bottom and a small fleur-de-lis representing Louisiana can be seen at the top in red.
What is the difference between the Pelicans jersey and the Adidas jersey?
The current Pelicans jersey, introduced in 2017, is slightly altered from the Adidas version. The biggest difference is in the font in “New Orleans.”
What color jersey did the Pelicans wear?
From 2008 to 2013, Pelicans players wore a mostly blue jersey with dark blue and white pinstripes. The name “New Orleans” was written on the front in gold lettering and dark borders.
