NOHNew Orleans Hornets

Franchise history

The Hornets relocated to New Orleans from Charlotte in 2002, after founding owner George Shinn's standing in the city collapsed amid a 1997 civil trial and local leaders balked at funding him a new arena. The team debuted in New Orleans on October 30, 2002, and made the playoffs in its first season. Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005, forcing the franchise to split its home schedule with Oklahoma City for two seasons as the "New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets" before returning to New Orleans full-time for 2007-08.

That same 2007-08 season produced the franchise's high point in New Orleans: a 56-26 record and Southwest Division title built around point guard Chris Paul, the No. 4 pick in the 2005 draft, and forward David West, with a run to the Western Conference Semifinals before losing to San Antonio. Financial losses in the following years grew severe enough that the NBA itself bought the franchise in December 2010 for roughly $300 million, operating it directly while searching for a local buyer -- an arrangement without real precedent in the modern league. Saints owner Tom Benson purchased the team in 2012, and the Hornets name and history gave way to the New Orleans Pelicans in April 2013.

Sources

• History of the New Orleans Pelicans — Wikipedia
• New Orleans Pelicans — Wikipedia