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Report: Hornets Changing Team Name to Pelicans

by Doug Kyed on Tue, Dec 4, 2012 at 6:44PM

With new ownership, the New Orleans Hornets will also be undergoing a makeover.

The team is changing its name to the Pelicans, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. A name change had been rumored since Saints owner Tom Benson bought the team in April. Benson owns the Pelicans name, which had been used in New Orleans from 1887-1977 by various minor league baseball teams. The name change could take place for the 2013-14 season.

By ditching the Hornets moniker, that could free up the name for the current Charlotte Bobcats, who have been rumored to want their nickname back. Michael Jordan recently said he would “entertain the opportunity” to take the name back if New Orleans ditched it, according to the Charlotte Observer.