WASHINGTON – The New Orleans Hornets are changing their name to the New Orleans Pelicans, as early as the 2013-14 season, Yahoo! Sports first reported.
The team considered Krewe and Brass as potential nicknames, the site reports.
The Hornets have planned to change their name since their owner, Tom Benson, bought the team in April. Benson owns the rights to the Pelicans name.
Michael Jordan, who owns the Charlotte Bobcats, says he’d be interested in bringing the name Hornets to North Carolina.
The pelican is the state bird of Louisiana. Benson bought the name saying he’d like to see it changed to something more fitting for the state. There is word the team’s colors might change as well.
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