Charlotte Hornets - The Brand Returns!!!

KembaWalker · Post #341 » by **KembaWalker** » Fri May 11, 2012 11:10 pm

We don't get enough baseless juicy rumors around here compared to most fanbases so I'll drop an interesting one I heard today...my good friend works at Olde Sycamore golf course where some Bobcats execs and Ladycats were up doing some event. Apparently one of the marketing execs basically said that the team will be the Charlotte Hornets THIS upcoming season. apparently we made a deal to purchase/acquire the name sometime last year/season and so the process is already well underway. said something about this being one of Rufus's last performances etc.

anyway, take it for what its worth (not much really). im not usually a big rumor spreading guy but usually i dont hear them that close to the source...so i dunno.

Bassman · Post #342 » by **Bassman** » Sat May 12, 2012 2:28 am

KembaWalker wrote:We don't get enough baseless juicy rumors around here compared to most fanbases so I'll drop an interesting one I heard today...my good friend works at Olde Sycamore golf course where some Bobcats execs and Ladycats were up doing some event. Apparently one of the marketing execs basically said that the team will be the Charlotte Hornets THIS upcoming season. apparently we made a deal to purchase/acquire the name sometime last year/season and so the process is already well underway. said something about this being one of Rufus's last performances etc.

anyway, take it for what its worth (not much really). im not usually a big rumor spreading guy but usually i dont hear them that close to the source...so i dunno.

SWEET!! I would love it, and it would fit the "what if...?" potential that I postulated about in a dream sequence. I mean, it's not like the NBA wasn't looking to sell the Hornets just yesterday, and clearly that set up the potential for gaining a new name. Hopefully these folks are in on the secret. But...most things that well known and blabbed about by multiple staff would be hard to keep hidden.

Stun704 · Post #343 » by **Stun704** » Sat May 12, 2012 2:32 am

KembaWalker wrote:We don't get enough baseless juicy rumors around here compared to most fanbases so I'll drop an interesting one I heard today...my good friend works at Olde Sycamore golf course where some Bobcats execs and Ladycats were up doing some event. Apparently one of the marketing execs basically said that the team will be the Charlotte Hornets THIS upcoming season. apparently we made a deal to purchase/acquire the name sometime last year/season and so the process is already well underway. said something about this being one of Rufus's last performances etc.

anyway, take it for what its worth (not much really). im not usually a big rumor spreading guy but usually i dont hear them that close to the source...so i dunno.

dmutombo321 · Post #344 » by **dmutombo321** » Sat May 12, 2012 3:07 am

^^

I'm skeptical but if indeed true, and they are secretly working on such a time frame, I would be thrilled.

The real tell tale sign will have to be news that New Orleans has thrown together a new branding scheme in short notice (a la the Thunder) to roll out next year. Until such point, any rumors of a Hornets return as early as next season can be dismissed simply because the name wont yet be available.

bobcats3wallace · Post #345 » by **bobcats3wallace** » Sat May 12, 2012 4:05 am

“Personally, I love (the idea of bringing the Hornets name back to Charlotte) because Bobcats was named for Bob Johnson,” Sabates said. “I’m surprised we didn’t call them the Johnsoncats.”
.....
Even so, Sabates likes the idea of blending on-court upgrades with a wave of off-court nostalgia sure to be sparked by the Hornets name. “I think it would bring tremendous interest,” Sabates says. “It’s an expensive proposition. On the other hand, your souvenir sales would go way up.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/bl ... l?page=all

Very interesting comments from one of the minority owners, Felix Sabates.

I hope the "rumor" is true because I think it would bring a LOT of interest back to the team and a lot of energy back to the city. Personally, as I've said before, I don't have a problem with the current name and color scheme, but the potential of the Hornets coming back are through the rough. I'm telling you, if the Bobcats somehow are the Hornets next season, with Anthony Davis, the cable box will be ROCKING come the start of the season. People will be ecstatic. It would be very exciting. For that reason, I hope it is true, but I highly doubt it. As someone else pointed out, for such a major move to be kept under wraps for more than a year, it's just highly unlikely.

On the other hand, if you want to believe it you could support it by saying it is ironic that in the introductory press conference Tom Benson went straight to the name change. Who knows. For those that really want the Hornets back, I would advise you not to take this rumor to heart. But I do appreciate the news and the guy that is saying what he heard should not be blasted either way. These "rumors" from first hand sources are at the very least interesting to talk about!

Battery · Post #346 » by **Battery** » Sat May 12, 2012 4:14 am

I guess anything is possible but I cannot see them making the change in one off season. There is so many things you need to do and by now, someone would have spilled the beans that the change was underway. I just can't see it for next season. Not enough time unless something is announce shortly.

Stun704 · Post #347 » by **Stun704** » Sat May 12, 2012 4:16 am

bobcats3wallace wrote:
“Personally, I love (the idea of bringing the Hornets name back to Charlotte) because Bobcats was named for Bob Johnson,” Sabates said. “I’m surprised we didn’t call them the Johnsoncats.”
.....
Even so, Sabates likes the idea of blending on-court upgrades with a wave of off-court nostalgia sure to be sparked by the Hornets name. “I think it would bring tremendous interest,” Sabates says. “It’s an expensive proposition. On the other hand, your souvenir sales would go way up.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/bl ... l?page=all

Very interesting comments from one of the minority owners, Felix Sabates.

I hope the "rumor" is true because I think it would bring a LOT of interest back to the team and a lot of energy back to the city. Personally, as I've said before, I don't have a problem with the current name and color scheme, but the potential of the Hornets coming back are through the rough. I'm telling you, if the Bobcats somehow are the Hornets next season, with Anthony Davis, the cable box will be ROCKING come the start of the season. People will be ecstatic. It would be very exciting. For that reason, I hope it is true, but I highly doubt it. As someone else pointed out, for such a major move to be kept under wraps for more than a year, it's just highly unlikely.

On the other hand, if you want to believe it you could support it by saying it is ironic that in the introductory press conference Tom Benson went straight to the name change. Who knows. For those that really want the Hornets back, I would advise you not to take this rumor to heart. But I do appreciate the news and the guy that is saying what he heard should not be blasted either way. These "rumors" from first hand sources are at the very least interesting to talk about!

Has it been?

There was a leak on carolinahuddle saying they weren't going to order bobcats merchandise for next year

Battery · Post #348 » by **Battery** » Sat May 12, 2012 4:28 am

From the Observer last month...

How long would this actually take to pull off? Benson might like to do a name change “tomorrow,” but that’s not NBA procedure. Under normal circumstances (i.e. not a franchise relocation) the league expects a minimum of two years notice for a franchise to rebrand. There are plenty of good reasons for that, particularly giving adidas reasonable notice to redesign uniforms. So even if Jordan and his executives decide to do this, any such move might not be viable before 2015.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy

KembaWalker · Post #349 » by **KembaWalker** » Sat May 12, 2012 4:44 am

Battery wrote:From the Observer last month...

How long would this actually take to pull off? Benson might like to do a name change “tomorrow,” but that’s not NBA procedure. Under normal circumstances (i.e. not a franchise relocation) the league expects a minimum of two years notice for a franchise to rebrand. There are plenty of good reasons for that, particularly giving adidas reasonable notice to redesign uniforms. So even if Jordan and his executives decide to do this, any such move might not be viable before 2015.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy

yeah the main interesting thing I thought from what I heard was that the deal more or less went down ~a year ago so who knows how far they could already have things underway in that department. though it seems like that leaves a lot of people who know and have remained remarkably quiet about it.

Stun704 · Post #350 » by **Stun704** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:08 am

Battery wrote:From the Observer last month...

How long would this actually take to pull off? Benson might like to do a name change “tomorrow,” but that’s not NBA procedure. Under normal circumstances (i.e. not a franchise relocation) the league expects a minimum of two years notice for a franchise to rebrand. There are plenty of good reasons for that, particularly giving adidas reasonable notice to redesign uniforms. So even if Jordan and his executives decide to do this, any such move might not be viable before 2015.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy

Bonnell is a moron, OKC rebranded from the sonics to the thunder in one off-season, Adam Silver said that changing the brands from the bobcats to the hornets would be faster then it usually would since the hornets is an already established brand

Jaruff · Post #351 » by **Jaruff** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:54 am

Stun704 wrote:
Battery wrote:From the Observer last month...

How long would this actually take to pull off? Benson might like to do a name change “tomorrow,” but that’s not NBA procedure. Under normal circumstances (i.e. not a franchise relocation) the league expects a minimum of two years notice for a franchise to rebrand. There are plenty of good reasons for that, particularly giving adidas reasonable notice to redesign uniforms. So even if Jordan and his executives decide to do this, any such move might not be viable before 2015.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy

Bonnell is a moron, OKC rebranded from the sonics to the thunder in one off-season, Adam Silver said that changing the brands from the bobcats to the hornets would be faster then it usually would since the hornets is an already established brand

That's not really the issue though. Unless they're going to go by the New Orleans Bobcats, Nola has to go through the process of rebranding. That will delay our efforts to rebrand.

If we make the switch, I don't see it happening in 2012. 2013? Maybe. 2014? Likely.

bobcats3wallace · Post #352 » by **bobcats3wallace** » Sat May 12, 2012 2:18 pm

Battery wrote:From the Observer last month...

How long would this actually take to pull off? Benson might like to do a name change “tomorrow,” but that’s not NBA procedure. Under normal circumstances (i.e. not a franchise relocation) the league expects a minimum of two years notice for a franchise to rebrand. There are plenty of good reasons for that, particularly giving adidas reasonable notice to redesign uniforms. So even if Jordan and his executives decide to do this, any such move might not be viable before 2015.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy

The whole point of the rumor is that this has been underway for more than a year now, thus making this off season the end of the two year wait. Bottom line, though, is that the current Hornets have to find a new name and re brand before anything can happen.

Anyone heard anything knew on the New Orleans front? Have they done anything to start a survey for a new name?

Stun704 · Post #353 » by **Stun704** » Sat May 12, 2012 4:05 pm

bobcats3wallace wrote:
Battery wrote:From the Observer last month...

How long would this actually take to pull off? Benson might like to do a name change “tomorrow,” but that’s not NBA procedure. Under normal circumstances (i.e. not a franchise relocation) the league expects a minimum of two years notice for a franchise to rebrand. There are plenty of good reasons for that, particularly giving adidas reasonable notice to redesign uniforms. So even if Jordan and his executives decide to do this, any such move might not be viable before 2015.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy

The whole point of the rumor is that this has been underway for more than a year now, thus making this off season the end of the two year wait. Bottom line, though, is that the current Hornets have to find a new name and re brand before anything can happen.

Anyone heard anything knew on the New Orleans front? Have they done anything to start a survey for a new name?

They've already registered the names, Spirit and Angels, its going to be one of those names

Stun704 · Post #354 » by **Stun704** » Sat May 12, 2012 4:11 pm

Jaruff wrote:
Stun704 wrote:

Bonnell is a moron, OKC rebranded from the sonics to the thunder in one off-season, Adam Silver said that changing the brands from the bobcats to the hornets would be faster then it usually would since the hornets is an already established brand

That's not really the issue though. Unless they're going to go by the New Orleans Bobcats, Nola has to go through the process of rebranding. That will delay our efforts to rebrand.

If we make the switch, I don't see it happening in 2012. 2013? Maybe. 2014? Likely.

Like I said OKC changed names from the Sonics to the Thunder in one offseason, anythings possible, logistically its possible

Battery · Post #355 » by **Battery** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:51 pm

Stun704 wrote:
Jaruff wrote:
Stun704 wrote:

Bonnell is a moron, OKC rebranded from the sonics to the thunder in one off-season, Adam Silver said that changing the brands from the bobcats to the hornets would be faster then it usually would since the hornets is an already established brand

That's not really the issue though. Unless they're going to go by the New Orleans Bobcats, Nola has to go through the process of rebranding. That will delay our efforts to rebrand.

If we make the switch, I don't see it happening in 2012. 2013? Maybe. 2014? Likely.

Like I said OKC changed names from the Sonics to the Thunder in one offseason, anythings possible, logistically its possible

I hope we do make the change for next season but this situation is different because two teams are involved. Both situations require a big changeover, whereas OKC wasn't changing from anything. I can see it being announced this summer but and then ready for the 2013-14 season.

bobcats3wallace · Post #356 » by **bobcats3wallace** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:44 pm

The New Orleans Spirit sounds like a WNBA team, but I don't think "the Angels" belongs in the NBA just because of the LA Angels already being so prominent.

The New Orleans Spirit. What would their color scheme be? And their mascot? Oh well, as long as we get the Hornets, I guess. I seriously doubt it happens in time for next off season, but I really hope it does. It would be the perfect time for a re-brand. New coach. Number 1 pick. New season.

Bassman · Post #357 » by **Bassman** » Sun May 13, 2012 2:59 am

bobcats3wallace wrote:The New Orleans Spirit sounds like a WNBA team, but I don't think "the Angels" belongs in the NBA just because of the LA Angels already being so prominent.

The New Orleans Spirit. What would their color scheme be? And their mascot? Oh well, as long as we get the Hornets, I guess. I seriously doubt it happens in time for next off season, but I really hope it does. It would be the perfect time for a re-brand. New coach. Number 1 pick. New season.

If it's between those 2 I would guess Spirit. AS much as I don't like the name, think about how that name fits the region's culture. There is a huge interest in the spirit world there, both relative to religion and old-world voodoo stuff. However, I think they would promote it as the "Spirit" of the area relative to their recovery from the hurricane damage. You hear a lot about that. Again, a lame name to me but I could see them running with that. Angels??? No way!

bobcats3wallace · Post #358 » by **bobcats3wallace** » Sun May 13, 2012 4:55 am

You could definitely see the marketing possibilities with Spirit, but it just doesn't pass the eye test for me. Then again, I didn't think the Thunder passed the eye test either and its just like any other name now. Like anything, once it's introduced and used people will get used to it. Of course, unless your the Bobcats. Haha.

Too bad New Orleans can't just have Jazz back and Utah pick a new name. Oh well.

Stun704 · Post #359 » by **Stun704** » Sun May 13, 2012 6:55 am

Why should we care what they name their team? aslong as we get the Hornets name back I don't care if they rename themselves the Killer Bee's.. I was just telling you what names Benson registered recently

bobcats3wallace · Post #360 » by **bobcats3wallace** » Sun May 13, 2012 2:31 pm

Stun704 wrote:Why should we care what they name their team? aslong as we get the Hornets name back I don't care if they rename themselves the Killer Bee's.. I was just telling you what names Benson registered recently

Well you may not care, but as a sports fan and an NBA fan, I do care. No one on here said I don't want the Hornets because I don't want New Orleans to be called the Spirit. All were saying is that the Spirit doesn't sound like an NBA name.

I have also seen strong considerations for the Krewe or Brass. Brass would be interesting too I think. Personally I would love to see what Fred Whitfield and company could do with the Hornets. They take the current logo and court and modernize it just a bit as well as install some of the old aspects. Such as the bee hive and what not. It would be a really fun time to follow the team with a name change, new coach, and potentially a number one pick. I've begun to get myself really excited about a potential name change, haha.