The Hornets have resurrected the Crown Club brand as part of $34M in upgrades to Time Warner Cable Arena. At the old Charlotte Coliseum, which served as the original Hornets' home from '88-'02, the Crown Club was reserved for a select group of season-ticket holders ringing the court. For the Michael Jordan-owned Hornets, the same name and exclusivity applies to the former Backcourt Club. The club's layout has been reconfigured with new lighting and design elements to reflect the Hornets' rebranding throughout the facility. Those premium patrons still have views to Hornets players as they walk to and from their locker room. In addition, the Hornets have refreshed 21 suites by repainting the walls, putting down new carpet and installing new and larger Samsung televisions. The remaining 43 suites will be improved next summer, according to Hornets Senior VP & GM of Arena & Events Operations Donna Julian. The second phase of renovations extends to a reconfiguration of the arena's sit-down restaurant on the lower suite level, replacing loge box products at stage end, with regular seats and a new center-hung video board. AECOM was the architect and Anthony James Partners was a consultant for developing and purchasing the new video board. On the food side for this season, Levy Restaurants' barbecue stand now features Queen City Q, a new Hornets sponsor. Menu items include BBQ pork nachos and pulled pork sandwiches, both priced at $9. Time Warner Cable Arena turns 10 years old tomorrow. Its initial public event was a Rolling Stones concert on Oct. 21, 2005.
