New Orleans Pelicans becomes official

NBA franchise the New Orleans Hornets has changed its name to become the New Orleans Pelicans it announced today. The name change has been expected for some time and we reported on the story back in January when New Orleans owner Tom Benson revealed the team would become the New Orleans Pelicans at the end of the season. Benson also revealed the team’s new logo along with a new colour scheme for the franchise.

The regular season ended yesterday and Benson has wasted little time in putting his plan into action. The name change marks a new chapter in the young history of the New Orleans Pelicans. The franchise was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1988 and was formerly known as the Charlotte Hornets. After 14-years in Charlotte the franchise was relocated to New Orleans where it was renamed the New Orleans Hornets.

After the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the franchise was temporarily located in Oklahoma for two seasons as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. A return to New Orleans followed in 2007 until the franchise once again changed names to become the New Orleans Pelicans with today’s announcement.