Charlotte Hornets - The Brand Returns!!!

[SWedd523]

Carolina BBQs
Carolina Tobaccos
Carolina Appalachians
Carolina Rebels

Charlotte Queens
Charlotte Wells Fargos

[thruthefire]

Everyone who's anyone has a Charlotte Hornets snapback.

[captaincrunk]

If the Hornets became the Sonics again, that would be pretty dumb.

[Eoghan]

the hornets are our name.... it has a history here and we need to take that name back the last time i saw a bobcat in NC was at the zoo.

I've seen and heard bobcats in the wild, I live in Randolph Co. Honestly, I've never heard a more horrifying sound in my life than a bobcat growling/hissing at night, serious chills up my spine.

The name is fine, the animal is cool. Our logos I'm not fond of (our center court logo looks like a bat to me.)

[BlackOutBuzz]

This sort of reminds me of the situation the Cleveland Browns were in several years ago. The team left, and became the Baltimore Ravens, however another team came back to Cleveland a few years later under the Browns moniker. Though this would be more like a new Supersonics popping up in Seattle, but I still see some parallels.

If I had to choose between Hornets or Bobcats, I would choose Hornets; for the simple fact that there's some history there and it just sounds cooler IMO. However, the idea of having a "Carolina" team (like the Cougars) instead of a "Charlotte" team also intrigues me. I think the thing that irritates me the most is that I never see Bobcats gear...just Hornets stuff. I've even seen someone with a Chris Paul Charlotte Hornets jersey, which pissed me off for several reasons.

I also think a name change would be beneficial to New Orleans. Perhaps this is even more unlikely, but would the New Orleans Jazz not gain more support than the New Orleans Hornets? Now I have no idea if Utah would have any interest in rebranding, just thinking out loud.

[Eoghan]

Honestly, if I was NO, I'd change the name to the Hurricanes and have a percentage of every merchandise sale go towards a post-Katrina charity.

[Rich4114]

I feel like it's too late for this. It's going on 8 years and people just now realize we exist.

[Olajuwon34]

Honestly, if I was NO, I'd change the name to the Hurricanes and have a percentage of every merchandise sale go towards a post-Katrina charity.

I feel like it's too late for this. It's going on 8 years and people just now realize we exist.

That random juxtaposition is absolutely golden! Unless you intended that in which case it is also brilliant!

[penquin11]

Honestly, if I was NO, I'd change the name to the Hurricanes and have a percentage of every merchandise sale go towards a post-Katrina charity.

That is actually a brilliant idea- plus NO still steals a team name from us-

[Bassman]

Well, my 2 cents is in favor of getting Hornets back IF that were a real possibility. If not, I would also prefer returning to the Carolina Cougars name. I was never in love with the Bobcats name, and while it's connection to the former owner will fade over time, it is a soiled part of the current history with that mascot.

If none of the above, I certainly still like Bobcats, but agree with a previous post that the logo needs revision.

[fatlever]

this was a topic today on local radio WFNZ. the caller opinions were pretty much defined by where they were originally from. charlotte callers overwhelming wanted hornets back, transplant callers didnt care.

the amount of misinformation and inaccurate info being thrown around was disturbing.

i dont see this topic going away. it will linger for years until new orleans emphatically says they are not changing or until the bobcats emphatically say they are not changing.

[BlackOutBuzz]

Renaming NO the Hurricanes would be in bad taste IMO. That's like renaming the Knicks the Taliban or the 767s.

[KembaWalker]

worked out for the Carolina Hurricanes, tho NC hasn't had a disaster like Katrina, many people still have died from them. But yeah I can't see it happening

[Eoghan]

That's like renaming the Knicks the Taliban or the 767s.

Lol, no it isn't. Terrorists didn't blow Katrina towards America. I just can't think of anything more that they would take pride in than being survivors of that storm. I'm sure there were plenty of bear attacks in the BC area but they still named the Vancouver franchise the Grizzlies. I mean, if they won't even support a franchise named the Jazz, what else is there?

I made a poll over on the Hornets board to see what they think. That's why they call me Whiskers, because I'm curious like a cat!*




*Will Ferrell SNL reference

[BlackOutBuzz]

worked out for the Carolina Hurricanes, tho NC hasn't had a disaster like Katrina, many people still have died from them. But yeah I can't see it happening

Lol, no it isn't. Terrorists didn't blow Katrina towards America.

Both valid points, I guess it just seems odd to me considering the devastation Katrina caused.

[Liver_Pooty]

This is actually gaining quiet a bit of steam. Heard it discussed on the radio multiple times now, and two articles on it on the Observer in less than a week.

[dmutombo321]

This is actually gaining quiet a bit of steam. Heard it discussed on the radio multiple times now, and two articles on it on the Observer in less than a week.

Yep -

WFNZ fielded some more calls on it earlier and the most recent article from Fowler linked on the front page of the Observer's website has 80+ comments overwhelmingly in favor of it:

http://scottfowlerobs.blogspot.com/2012 ... rnets.html

As I postulated earlier in this thread, I'd wager that a Hornets name change would significantly boost attendence and re-spark interest among local fairwather fans and a number of the comments on fowler's blog seem to support this.

Heres just a couple that I noticed perusing the comments section:

"Anonymous said...
I have never and will never got to a Bobcats game! Reasons being it was wrong the way the arena was thrust upon Charlotteans and the owner was George Shinn in disguise!

Bringing back the "hornets" name & logo will definitly bring back this fan. "

"Anonymous said...
IF the Hornets name is changed in New Orleans, then it would be complete insanity not to reclaim the moniker.

I think that is a big "if". But if it does happen we would be in a position to regain something that has caused festering wounds in Baltimore and elsewhere.

I am trying to like the Bobcats and go to games and participate in this thing. But if they don't retake the Hornets name if it becomes available to save a couple million bucks then they can forget about me. "

"Anonymous said...
If the Hornets name becomes available, I think it would make sense to change "back." No, you can't go back in time. Yes, the arena was built against the will of the majority of voters in the referendum. Yes, the team needs better players and more wins. But what you get from the name change is a one-time PR bonanza you simply can't get any other way. You reinforce the notion that this is Charlotte's team. (It isn't. It's Michael Jordan's team, but perception matters.) You wipe the slate clean from the Bob Johnson debacle. You get a better name that has resonance and context in this community. And, you probably recoup the $3-5 million in additional merchandise sales over time. People connect to brands on an emotional level. Many still connect with the Hornets. Far fewer have connected with the Bobcats. And while they may be downplaying it, I am sure Mr. Jordan understands the power of branding better than most. I think it would be a good thing. "

[captaincrunk]

It's bull though. The history is gone to New Orleans.

[Liver_Pooty]

There is a poll up on WFNZ with over 95% of people in favor if it. Combine that with Scott Fowlers blog basically blowing up with people in favor of it and its becoming more and more relevant. Of course this doesnt mean anything unless the hornets go to Seattle or the new ownership group decides to change the name and start with a fresh slate anyway.

[SWedd523]

"I have never and will never got to a Bobcats game! Reasons being it was wrong the way the arena was thrust upon Charlotteans and the owner was George Shinn in disguise!

Bringing back the "hornets" name & logo will definitly bring back this fan. "

How ironic