The Hornets' home-opener last night against the Bucks served as the first official game since the team's rebranding, and the organization "pulled out all the marketing stops in front of a sellout crowd of 19,439" at Time Warner Cable Arena, according to Scott Fowler of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. The Hornets "did it up right," as they "harkened back to the original opening night in 1988, when many showed up in tuxedos." They had a "tuxedo T-shirt giveaway this time." The fans in the stands "wore not only the current-day purple and teal uniforms, but also vintage jerseys." After overcoming a 24-point deficit to win in overtime, Hornets fans left the arena "shouting at each other in enthusiasm, ears ringing, just like it was 1989 all over again." Hornets C Al Jefferson and G Kemba Walker said that the crowd was "louder and better than the home ones for the playoff games" against the Heat last season (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/30). In Charlotte, Jonathan McFadden in a front-page piece notes arena workers "handed out glasses of champagne and freebies at the entrance," and fans "received Hornets balloon creations, including hats and swords." They created a "sea of purple and teal in the arena’s main lobby, and crowded the team store so much that moving became a chore" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/30).
REBIRTH OF THE BUZZ: In Charlotte, Erik Spanberg noted former
NBA Commissioner David Stern was in attendance last night and "called this 'a propitious time' for the
NBA in Charlotte and praised" Hornets Owner Michael Jordan for "reviving pro basketball here." The original Hornets "led the league in attendance for much of their first decade, but the Bobcats struggled to sell tickets and lost tens of millions of dollars annually until the past two seasons." Stern said that when the Hornets relocated to New Orleans in '02, "no thought was given to keeping the Hornets name in Charlotte." Spanberg: "The reason: Neither Stern nor the other owners expected a replacement here." Stern said, "I'm very surprised (the return of the Hornets name) had the emotional impact it had on the community. Pleasantly surprised. I think it was a way for them to signify that going back to a name is a new beginning. And everyone rallied behind it" (
BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/29).
THE JORDAN RULES: CBSSPORTS.com's Ken Berger wrote the "rebranding" of Jordan is something else that is "critical to the big picture" for the Hornets. Entering his fourth full season as majority owner, Jordan is "much more hands-on and visible than ever before." Jordan said that he made "plenty of mistakes -- in Washington and in Charlotte under previous ownership -- and learned from them." But for "better or worse, he finally seems comfortable and in control." Jordan said, "I can put my own DNA, I can put my own twists, I can put my own demands and start from a different leadership position. And those previous situations helped me set those type of standards for that type of leadership and obviously my participation in all of that. And I think that I'm better because of that." Berger: "Charlotte gets a do-over. In many ways, so does Jordan" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/29). USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt notes Jordan "acknowledged he's a better owner today than when he first became majority owner." Jordan: "I always considered myself an owner that was dedicated to doing the best job to bring the best team here." He added, "I've experienced all of the different valleys and lows about ownership and the success of businesses. Does that constitute me being a better owner? Then I guess I am." Jordan: "It's harder than most people think. I've been an owner for four years. And some people have been in this business a lot longer and still haven't put together a sustainable, successful scenario. So it's not as easy as it seems" (USA TODAY, 10/30). Jordan: "Things have fallen into place. ... The business has really been strong. Our guys beating the bushes to get the community back involved, to get the corporate sponsors back involved" (NBA.com, 10/29).
HOPPING AT THE HIVE: In Charlotte, Jones & Bonnell note Darius Rucker performed the National Anthem last night, while Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson and President Danny Morrison also "were at the game." Former Bobcats Owner Bob Johnson "took in the game from courtside," while Jordan "was at his usual spot at the end of the Hornets bench." Univ. of North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams also "stuck around" for the game following ACC media days in Charlotte (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/30).
