Should MJ consider changing the Bobcats name

[El Duque]

Should Michael Jordan rename the Bobcats?
By Trey Kerby

Over the weekend Michael Jordan bought himself a nice little belated birthday present — the Charlotte Bobcats. Seems like a nice gift, right? But almost immediately, Jordan will be presented with the franchise's most pressing issue.

If Michael Jordan listens to his customers, and potential customers, he'll seriously consider a name change from "Bobcats" once his purchase of Charlotte's NBA franchise is complete.

This makes sense, considering the Bobcats were named after soon-to-be former owner Robert Johnson. Plus, not a lot of people like the name in the first place. In fact, since the sale, the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell has been getting emails calling for a new moniker.

Back when the franchise was created, they had to choose between three nicknames — Bobcats, Flight and Dragons. Considering the choices, Bobcats might have been the lesser of the three evils. It's pretty obvious they're going to need our help.

Here's some suggestions to get started:
- Michaeljordancats: Keeps with the tradition of naming the franchise after its owner.
- Sonics: Hey, it's available.
- Mints: Refers to the Charlotte Mint, which was founded in 1837 after that nation's first gold rush. They'd have to wear those green jerseys all the time though.
- Limoges: This is a shout-out to one of Charlotte's sister cities in France. It has the added benefit of keeping Boris Diaw(notes) happy, which means it'll keep Boris Diaw skinny, which means it'll keep Boris Diaw good at basketball.
- Grahams: Charlotte is the birthplace of evangelist Billy Graham, and giving him a nod would be great for the rabid Christian fan base that's so important in that region.

Admittedly, these are all terrible nicknames. But surely, the combined power of the Internet can come up with something good. So let us know in the comments. Together, we can remedy this problem.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_d ... nba,224974

I kind of like the name the Flight. What are you guys thoughts on this?

[Stun704]

Flight is the obvious choice, and change the logo to Airjordan with carolina blue and white as team colors keeping the same jersey format that the bobcats have now

[Rich4114]

how about they get the Hornets to change their name to an actual New Orleans related name and we take that back. Otherwise, keep it the Bobcats.

[Stun704]

how about they get the Hornets to change their name to an actual New Orleans related name and we take that back. Otherwise, keep it the Bobcats.

gettign the hornets name would be the best but I think flight would be a positive alternative, most casual fans in charlotte think the flight is a good name, atleast thats what i hear when the topic is discussed on radio

[El Duque]

how about they get the Hornets to change their name to an actual New Orleans related name and we take that back. Otherwise, keep it the Bobcats.

I would love to get the Hornets name back, They should do that and give New Orleans Jazz and change Utah to something more fitting, either way I think Bobcats needs to go, after all we are not Bob's cats anymore!

[Dexmor]

Well I like the Dragons and the Flight. What about the Pitbulls?
What about the Sharks? Seriously nobody has it and there nature's unmatched hunters (killer whales kill and eat them but most don't know that).
Charlotte Sharks.
What about the lightning?
Airmen?
Mints actually isn't that bad.
Jaguars?
Cheetahs?
Cobra's
Sonics is cool.

[thruthefire]

Charlotte Pimps.

[Dexmor]

Charlotte Dobies or Dobermins

[Stun704]

IMO Flight, Royals, Hurricanes, (Mountain)Lions (if you want correlate with the panthers also has a double entendre for royalty) or Hornets are the only names marketable enough to change it from the bobcats, because they all have relevance to the surrounding areas... IMO if the name isn't relevant to the area it should just stay the bobcats because you would be starting over with the same ceiling of marketability that the name bobcats has

[doc.end]

Go to hell with carolina blue, keep current colours. Not everyting has to be UNC.

What is it with Flight, it sounds like WNBA team to me, I dont like the nickname to be in singular.

[Stun704]

Go to hell with carolina blue, keep current colours. Not everyting has to be UNC.

What is it with Flight, it sounds like WNBA team to me, I dont like the nickname to be in singular.

The name flight is a Triple entendre, it symbolizes athletic ability in basketball to dunk, it of course represents that NC was first at flying airplanes, and it represents the teams owner, because he termed the coin flight with his famous dunk/logo when it seemed like he was flying in mid air from where he took off...( I would like all of our players to be marketed as mini michael jordans rather then mini bob johnsons lol)

Also the color "Carolina Blue" doesn't mean that we are trying to rip off the tar heels, "Carolina Blue" means the "Unqiue color of blue" that the skies of NC has, Are the panthers ripping off the Tar heels with these jerseys?

http://www.cheap-nfl-jerseys.com/images ... nthers.jpg

So why would the Color "Carolina Blue" go with the flight? because air planes and flight in general go with skies...

[-Ian-]

I'm fine with the Bobcats.

[Felton for Pres]

So its OK for MJ to name the team after him but not OK for Bob Johnson? So when MJ eventually sells the team, will it get another name?

I actually like Flight but it can't happen. I agree wholeheartedly with doc. NO CAROLINA BLUE.

[spectre_]

Isn't the title just a little off the mark? It says Jordan is considering changing the name but this looks like an author saying that he SHOULD consider a name change.

The name's fine...leave it alone. We have other places needing that 3-10 million MUCH more.

[BigSlam]

This:

So its OK for MJ to name the team after him but not OK for Bob Johnson?

And this:

The name's fine...leave it alone. We have other places needing that 3-10 million MUCH more.

[fatlever]

the title of this thread is misleading. where in that article does it say that MJ is actually considering a change? this is purely speculation based on complaints from fans.

[fatlever]

el duque - i re-phrased the title of your thread. hope you dont mind.

[ohara]

If a change is made, I'd like to see it go back to the Cougars from the ABA days. LB coached them back then. And it goes back and grabs a bit of history for the fans to relate to. But I have not problem keeping it the Bobcats either.

[Rich4114]

If a change is made, I'd like to see it go back to the Cougars from the ABA days. LB coached them back then. And it goes back and grabs a bit of history for the fans to relate to. But I have not problem keeping it the Bobcats either.

I forgot about that. You're right, this is the best option. although, this name sort of comes with its own baggage too:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cougar

[El Duque]

el duque - i re-phrased the title of your thread. hope you dont mind.

It's cool, my mistake.