Hornets Poised To Exceed Average Attendance Requirement

The Hornets will hold a press conference prior to their game tonight against the Thunder announcing that they will meet an average attendance benchmark of 14,735 per home game. A clause in the team’s lease would have allowed the Hornets to opt out with a penalty if they fell short of that average by Jan. 31. Meeting the benchmark extends their lease in New Orleans Arena. Tonight’s game is the last Hornets home game before the Jan. 31 deadline.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Hornets have an average attendance this season of 14,367, but the attendance benchmark covers a two-year period. Last year the team averaged more than 15,000 fans per game. “We expect a sellout and will meet the benchmark,” said Hornets Senior Dir of Communications Harold Kaufman. The Hornets are now owned by the NBA after the league last month agreed to buy the team from George Shinn for over $300M.