Hornets' Ticket Numbers Steady After Kemba Walker's Departure

Hornets President & Vice Chair Fred Whitfield said that season- and partial-season ticket plan sales for this year have "held up well" despite Kemba Walker’s departure for the Celtics in free agency and "low expectations for a quick turnaround," according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Whitfield "estimated ticket renewals in the range of 83% to 85% for this season." Combined with new sales, he "predicted full-season equivalents ... will once again surpass 10,000." That figure is a "league benchmark for financial stability." Meanwhile, the Hornets are "already working closely with city government and tourism leaders on plans for the Republican National Convention next summer." Concentrating on the RNC "may also delay the next round of negotiations between the team and city regarding arena renovations and updates." The Hornets' lease "calls for discussions to begin next month" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/14).