Charlotte Hornets - The Brand Returns!!!

[JGib23]

You guys are right.. What was I thinking?

I mean it's clear this team and brand are wildly popular in Charlotte and to change the name would be foolish.

Why would we want to mess up these great things?

Last in the NBA in merchandise sales last year.. Change everything but the name this year and guess what..still dead last in the NBA in merchandise sales.

Last in the NBA in TV viewership.

Consistently ranked in the lower 3rd of the NBA in attendance despite buy one get one free season tickets, $2 season tickets, free tickets because a player hit a 3 pointer in the 4th quarter....

The team lost an estimated 20-30 million dollars last season..it would be a prudent business decision to ignore a large group of fans that would bring incremental revenue to the franchise...

All the people that say a "real fan" shouldn't care about the name, will you still support the team if they are the Charlotte Hornets? I think u would because you are a true fan.

So by changing the name the team wouldn't lose any fans because Bobcats fans are "real" fans and they will support the team no matter what... What's the downside to a name change?

[BigSlam]

There is a little too much name calling and nastiness creeping into this thread.

Keep it civil or the thread will be locked.

[Nanogeek]

You can't talk sense in them. Some of the basketball fans in Charlotte and Greensboro are just blind. They can't see an inch past their own opinions. These fans are so blind that they would rather Cheer for out of state, out of conference teams than cheer for Duke. They can't see that Duke kids are just kids. All they see is some media hyped rivalry. You can't get them to see how disrespectful it is to the Bobcat players to cheer for the Charlotte Hornets. If the Mike brings back the name fine, but until then the Bobcats play in Charlotte. These guys are so ignorant that they would rather see 18 and 19 year old kids in their own community humiliated just because of the college they go to. They are not going to understand how much they are humiliating our guys by cheering for a team that doesn't exist. If our guys weren't the laughing stock of the league before they will be once ESPN gets a hold to this.

I think people understand that the Charlotte Hornets are the Charlotte Bobcats. Those cheers are directed at management and ownership to drop the name of the guy that thought so much of himself he named the team after himself but thought considerably less of the city and the team with such name.

As for Duke, I'm a Tarheel fan so I'd pull some any team in the US before I pulled for Duke. But that's just because its a strong rivalry. In any event, that has nothing to do with people cheering for the Charlotte Hornets.

[KembaWalker]

if you want to discuss economic viability, MJ and his investors could double their money right now by selling to the Seattle group. certainly a bit more incentive than 100 bring back the buzz people. then the team could go play for some actual fans. win win. even the bbtb people win because they dont have any b**cats or whatever they call our team to disgust them with their presence in Charlotte

[fatlever]

That happened 1 time that I remember. I'll go back and watch the game on TV...I'll be interested in the outcome of the free throws in which u can hear a chant.

That shouldn't be anymore of a distraction than all the empty seats they usually have to look at while playing.

it definitely did not happen just one time. it happened almost the entire 1st 3 quarters until some people starting bitching about people yelling during the free throws. only then did it stop. i specifically remember 4 times, 3 times when warrick was at the line and once when adrien was at the line.

there is a reason cowbell lady doesnt ring the cowbell while we are shooting. there is a reason they dont bang the bojangles thunder sticks while we are shooting.

regardless, i didnt write that post to take anything away from what the bringbackthebuzz folks have been able to accomplish. they should be proud of what they have done. my goal was hopefully to shed some light on some things they could change in their approach.

1. stand until the cats score like the old hornets days (unless there is an old couple behind you )
2. chant bee-fense instead of defnese. i love the beefense chant
3. dont chant during our free-throws
4. dont belittle other bobcats fans just because they are happy with the name or supporting the name while in use
5. be a fan of the team regardless of the name outcome

[dmutombo321]

As Fats points out, it would behoove some of the Buzz crowd to recognize that interrupting the home team with Hornets chants during free throws and in some instances chastising, albeit passively, Bobcats fans just there to enjoy the game is not going to help advance their cause and will instead be widely perceived as elitist.

Having said this, I also notice lots of fans at every game wearing Hornets gear who are cheering the Bobcats and obviously aren’t part of an organized group per se.

Look, everyone is entitled to their opinion as far as name choice as it’s ultimately just a matter of preference. However, when the debate focus turns specifically to fan enthusiasm, crowd involvement and game atmosphere, people who weren’t able to experience attending games during both the Hornets AND Bobcats eras have no point of reference to truly appreciate the strikingly contrasting dichotomy. I’ve attended countless games for each club over the years during every season each respective team was/is in existence and there is no comparison to the Hornets experience. And I’m not referring to the basketball product either as the Hornets sucked several of those 7 years they were leading the league in attendance.

The game openings, the mascot, the Beefense chant, the Hive sound effects when the Hornets scored a crucial bucket, etc all made the Hive an incredibly hostile college-like environment for opponents. And this isn’t hyperbole either – as I’m sure Fats and several other tenured Charlotteans recall, there were routinely points in every game when the crowd got so loud that it was deafening and you literally couldn’t even communicate with the person next to you via shouting and the opposition famously sometimes had trouble communicating in their timeout huddles.

Having experienced the Hornets era, the Bobcats player intros, branding and general game atmospheres seem contrived and amateurish in comparison. This, even more than the sour taste for Bob Johnson, IMO is why re-branding back to the Hornets is so overwhelmingly supported here in the community.

The fervor surrounding the Hornets during their first decade in Charlotte was the stuff of sports lore. The demographics and city has changed greatly since then and I suffer no illusions that we’ll ever see enthusiasm of that degree again in Charlotte. But if a return to the Hornets can re-capture even 30% of that old fan fervor for the franchise, I’ll be ecstatic.

Until then, hopefully the niche offenders in the Buzz crowd keep civil.

[fatlever]

great post dm321

[JGib23]

if you want to discuss economic viability, MJ and his investors could double their money right now by selling to the Seattle group. certainly a bit more incentive than 100 bring back the buzz people. then the team could go play for some actual fans. win win. even the bbtb people win because they dont have any b**cats or whatever they call our team to disgust them with their presence in Charlotte

Arena Lease penalties and relocation fee makes this not as viable option.

[JGib23]

As Fats points out, it would behoove some of the Buzz crowd to recognize that interrupting the home team with Hornets chants during free throws and in some instances chastising, albeit passively, Bobcats fans just there to enjoy the game is not going to help advance their cause and will instead be widely perceived as elitist.

Having said this, I also notice lots of fans at every game wearing Hornets gear who are cheering the Bobcats and obviously aren’t part of an organized group per se.

Look, everyone is entitled to their opinion as far as name choice as it’s ultimately just a matter of preference. However, when the debate focus turns specifically to fan enthusiasm, crowd involvement and game atmosphere, people who weren’t able to experience attending games during both the Hornets AND Bobcats eras have no point of reference to truly appreciate the strikingly contrasting dichotomy. I’ve attended countless games for each club over the years during every season each respective team was/is in existence and there is no comparison to the Hornets experience. And I’m not referring to the basketball product either as the Hornets sucked several of those 7 years they were leading the league in attendance.

The game openings, the mascot, the Beefense chant, the Hive sound effects when the Hornets scored a crucial bucket, etc all made the Hive an incredibly hostile college-like environment for opponents. And this isn’t hyperbole either – as I’m sure Fats and several other tenured Charlotteans recall, there were routinely points in every game when the crowd got so loud that it was deafening and you literally couldn’t even communicate with the person next to you via shouting and the opposition famously sometimes had trouble communicating in their timeout huddles.

Having experienced the Hornets era, the Bobcats player intros, branding and general game atmospheres seem contrived and amateurish in comparison. This, even more than the sour taste for Bob Johnson, IMO is why re-branding back to the Hornets is so overwhelmingly supported here in the community.

The fervor surrounding the Hornets during their first decade in Charlotte was the stuff of sports lore. The demographics and city has changed greatly since then and I suffer no illusions that we’ll ever see enthusiasm of that degree again in Charlotte. But if a return to the Hornets can re-capture even 30% of that old fan fervor for the franchise, I’ll be ecstatic.

Until then, hopefully the niche offenders in the Buzz crowd keep civil.

You said what I wish I would have.. I get too emotional about it.

Great post.

[KembaWalker]

if you want to discuss economic viability, MJ and his investors could double their money right now by selling to the Seattle group. certainly a bit more incentive than 100 bring back the buzz people. then the team could go play for some actual fans. win win. even the bbtb people win because they dont have any b**cats or whatever they call our team to disgust them with their presence in Charlotte

Arena Lease penalties and relocation fee makes this not as viable option.

Nah..not when the starting rate on the market for a team is 525 million. MJ bought in at a helluva good time and could make a pretty penny. I am sure he would field a call if the alternative is a multi million dollar rebrand that will shakily generate 500 more fans a night at most. A relocation fee is nothing and he could probably split that cost at least with the buyers.

this team is in trouble just like the Panthers are, because citizens of Charlotte don't appreciate what they have. most people here would prefer us a 0 sport city.

[Liver_Pooty]

if you want to discuss economic viability, MJ and his investors could double their money right now by selling to the Seattle group. certainly a bit more incentive than 100 bring back the buzz people. then the team could go play for some actual fans. win win. even the bbtb people win because they dont have any b**cats or whatever they call our team to disgust them with their presence in Charlotte

Arena Lease penalties and relocation fee makes this not as viable option.

Nah..not when the starting rate on the market for a team is 525 million. MJ bought in at a helluva good time and could make a pretty penny. I am sure he would field a call if the alternative is a multi million dollar rebrand that will shakily generate 500 more fans a night at most. A relocation fee is nothing and he could probably split that cost at least with the buyers.

this team is in trouble just like the Panthers are, because citizens of Charlotte don't appreciate what they have. most people here would prefer us a 0 sport city.

Jordan is way to competitive and proud to give up on this franchise.

[JGib23]

if you want to discuss economic viability, MJ and his investors could double their money right now by selling to the Seattle group. certainly a bit more incentive than 100 bring back the buzz people. then the team could go play for some actual fans. win win. even the bbtb people win because they dont have any b**cats or whatever they call our team to disgust them with their presence in Charlotte

Arena Lease penalties and relocation fee makes this not as viable option.

Nah..not when the starting rate on the market for a team is 525 million. MJ bought in at a helluva good time and could make a pretty penny. I am sure he would field a call if the alternative is a multi million dollar rebrand that will shakily generate 500 more fans a night at most. A relocation fee is nothing and he could probably split that cost at least with the buyers.

this team is in trouble just like the Panthers are, because citizens of Charlotte don't appreciate what they have. most people here would prefer us a 0 sport city.

The city's 25-year arena lease agreement with the Bobcats says if the team leaves before the end of 2010, it'll have to pay the city $200 million in damages. If it leaves by 2015, it’s $150 million, and so on through 2030.

So between the lease penalties and the estimated 30-40 million dollar relocation fee, I don't see any way in hell MJ sells to anyone that would move the team.

It be much cheaper to spend $3M to rebrand to the Hornets and see if that works...

[KembaWalker]

Arena Lease penalties and relocation fee makes this not as viable option.

Nah..not when the starting rate on the market for a team is 525 million. MJ bought in at a helluva good time and could make a pretty penny. I am sure he would field a call if the alternative is a multi million dollar rebrand that will shakily generate 500 more fans a night at most. A relocation fee is nothing and he could probably split that cost at least with the buyers.

this team is in trouble just like the Panthers are, because citizens of Charlotte don't appreciate what they have. most people here would prefer us a 0 sport city.

The city's 25-year arena lease agreement with the Bobcats says if the team leaves before the end of 2010, it'll have to pay the city $200 million in damages. If it leaves by 2015, it’s $150 million, and so on through 2030.

So between the lease penalties and the estimated 30-40 million dollar relocation fee, I don't see any way in hell MJ sells to anyone that would move the team.

It be much cheaper to spend $3M to rebrand to the Hornets and see if that works...

peanuts, he bought the team for 275 million, he can sell them for 525. the new owners pay the relocation fee since theyre buying the team as is, MJ negotiates a split with new owners in arena lease fee and walks away $150-200 million richer

this is a lot more realistic and business savvy than going through another rebrand that at best marginally impacts revenue. going on the assumption that thousands of Charlotteans are going to flood into TWC because of a new name is just laughable, even if they do prefer it

this team is not safe. not with with this sudden influx of investors. even if the Kings leave, theyve already nearly got enough financing to match the seattle offer. and guess who theyll be calling up next

[JGib23]

Jordan also assumed an estimated $150 million in debt when he bought the team.

You can spend time worrying about a relocation, to me it's not a concern for at least another decade.

[Liver_Pooty]

Charlottes become a wine and cheese town. Win and people show up. Don't win and they wont. The Panthers are a prime example of this, and Charlotte loves its Football more than Basketball. Been that way since 1995.

[Liver_Pooty]

New Orleans changing to Pelicans Thursday. Bobcats on the watch.

[fatlever]

Rick Bonnell ‏@rick_bonnell

Hornets become Pelicans Thursday, putting ball in Bobcats' court on nickname. There would be deliberate market research before any change.

Rick Bonnell ‏@rick_bonnell

Bobcats couldn't do real market research until Benson officially relinquishes nickname. This isn't going to be a flick-the-lights decision.

[fatlever]

with what bonnell just tweeted in mind, perhaps it explains the email i received from the cats today (i assume all sth got this)

As a Season Ticket Holder, you are a vital part of our future and your feedback helps shape every decision we make. For this reason, we hope that you will take the time to share your thoughts in an electronic survey that you will receive tomorrow via an email from Harris Interactive, a research company hired by Bobcats Sports & Entertainment. In this survey you will be asked questions about the organization. This survey will be anonymous, and the results will be shared with you at a later date.

To give you some background, Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading research firms. Shortly after Michael Jordan assumed majority ownership of the team in 2010, we launched a community survey with the help of Harris Interactive. Those findings helped us shape the direction of our business and community endeavors. It is our hope that this survey will assist us with our future decisions.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Sincerely,

Fred Whitfield

President, Chief Operating Officer & Alternate Governor
Bobcats Sports & Entertainment

[dmutombo321]

with what bonnell just tweeted in mind, perhaps it explains the email i received from the cats today (i assume all sth got this)

As a Season Ticket Holder, you are a vital part of our future and your feedback helps shape every decision we make. For this reason, we hope that you will take the time to share your thoughts in an electronic survey that you will receive tomorrow via an email from Harris Interactive, a research company hired by Bobcats Sports & Entertainment. In this survey you will be asked questions about the organization. This survey will be anonymous, and the results will be shared with you at a later date.

To give you some background, Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading research firms. Shortly after Michael Jordan assumed majority ownership of the team in 2010, we launched a community survey with the help of Harris Interactive. Those findings helped us shape the direction of our business and community endeavors. It is our hope that this survey will assist us with our future decisions.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Sincerely,

Fred Whitfield

President, Chief Operating Officer & Alternate Governor
Bobcats Sports & Entertainment

Interesting. Please let us know the particulars once you receive it

[fatlever]

i havent received the survey yet, but i know its related to the name change. they were talking about it on the radio this morning.