The Charlotte Hornets franchise was established in 1988 as an expansion team owned by George Shinn. A Carolina blue outline around the entire logo was also added. Michael Jordan is selling part of the Charlotte Hornets to two businessmen but will remain the majority owner of the franchise. In April 2018, Mitch Kupchak was named as the new president of basketball operations and general manager. From 1997 to 2002, the Hornets made slight changes to their uniforms. According to the statement that Jordan released, Plotkin and Sundheim will operate in the background, with Jordan retaining full control of all decision making regarding the team and organization. As part of the Time Warner Cable Arena deal, the Bobcats signed over broadcasting rights to Fox Sports South. It also brought back the "Buzz City" crest in front. When the team was known as the Bobcats, the cheerleaders were called the Lady Cats. He owns two homes in North Carolina where the NBA team he owns, the Charlotte Hornets, is based, and one in Jupiter, Florida. [69], Front office and coaching were key focuses for the Bobcats during the 2007 off-season. Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, bought the Hornets for about $180 million in 2010 and controls about 97 percent of the team equity. 47m. Charlotte Hornets Foundation Selects Bianca Rodriguez As Second Recipient Of . They later traded Napier to the Heat for P. J. Hairston (formerly from UNC), the rights to the 55th pick, Miami's 2019 second-round pick and cash considerations. Hence, owning 89.5% of it gives MJ a huge chunk of that. Despite injuries to both Johnson and Mourning, the two led the team in points-per-game. 45m. The president appoints the Federal Reserve chair, currently Jerome Powell. The Hornets would finish the season with a 3646 record, missing out on the playoffs. It is regularly used for various legal purposes. [71] In the 2007 NBA draft, Brandan Wright was selected by the Bobcats with the eighth pick; he was subsequently traded to Golden State for Jason Richardson. In this case, the team retains the player's draft rights in the NBA until one year after the player's contract with the non-NBA team ends. Michael Jordan's Top 10 Most Expensive Purchases: MJ Bought The Hornets For $175 Million.Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest players ever, and most pundits claim . He became a minority owner in the then-Bobcats in 2006 and bought the team from BET co-founder Bob Johnson in 2010. However, it was discarded by Johnson and the team involved in creating the team's identity, being considered abstract and reminiscent of the then-current Iraq War aerial strikes. The base color is mint and letters and numbers are in granite black with metallic gold trim. Thunder (protected top 14) pick would transfer because Nuggets pick is currently not within top 14. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. [201][202] Bleacher Report ranked Rufus as the 8th best mascot in the NBA. In 2021, Cam Newton revealed that he is the proud father of 7 children. [105] A mostly difficult year led to a 3349 record overall and a 4th-place finish in the division. New Orleans owns three extra picks from the Lakers and Bucks between 2024 . Jordan owns 12 different types of vehicles in addition to his incredible personality. [132], On June 24, 2022, the Hornets named Steve Clifford as new head coach marking his second stint as the team's head coach. In the off-season, Jeremy Lin would go to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, Al Jefferson to the Indiana Pacers, and Courtney Lee to the New York Knicks, but the Hornets were able to re-sign Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams, as well as bring in former All-star Roy Hibbert, Marco Belinelli and Ramon Sessions for a second stint. This places them as the 25th most valuable franchise in the league. [104] The team also picked up Scotty Hopson (whom they would trade to New Orleans) and cash considerations in free agency. 6:34 pm ET, Bucks vs. 76ers odds, picks, computer sims, Morant to miss 'at least' two games after IG post, NBA DFS picks, lineups, advice, March 4 strategy, Grizzlies' Clarke out for season with Achilles injury, Raptors vs. Wizards odds, picks, computer sims, Streaking Warriors must overcome one major roadblock, Window for Durant, Suns is open -- until it's not, Morant to miss two games after video with gun, Nuggets beat Grizz, likely lock up West's top spot, Randle's game-winner runs Knicks' win streak to eight, Celtics booed off floor after blowing 28-point lead. Swarm Come Up Short At Home. Lamelo Ball vs Michael Jordan on nba 2k23 next Gen! He would be replaced by former Los Angeles Lakers assistant head coach Steve Clifford. Inside the 'C' was a smaller white letter 'H' outlined in teal, with a black-colored hornet holding a basketball from birds-eye view placed in the center. Charlotte's second Hornets logo features a teal and purple forward-facing hornet with the words 'Charlotte Hornets' on its torso. Previously the team practiced at the Grady Cole Center in the Elizabeth neighborhood before moving to a purpose-built facility in Fort Mill, South Carolina located beside Knights Castle, this facility is now known as The Pointe Arts and Recreation Center. Is Scottie Pippen rich? Despite finishing the season with the worst record in NBA history, the Bobcats received the second overall pick. [121], On July 6, 2019, Kemba Walker joined the Boston Celtics through a sign-and-trade deal with the Hornets. Chicago Bulls. [29] Johnson had an impact season, finishing among the league leaders in points and rebounds, and winning the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. The 199899 season was shortened. Jordan's net worth has ballooned to $1.6 billion in 2021, making him the richest former athlete in the world. Via Hornets.com: "I'm excited to welcome Gabe and Dan as my partners in Hornets Sports & Entertainment," said Michael Jordan. The team's owner was Robert L. Johnson, an American media mogul who, with the founding of the Bobcats, became the . This Man Owns The World's Most Advanced Private Air Force After Buying 46 F/A-18 Hornets. Likewise, Hugo was featured in the beltline. In 2007 the Bobcats unveiled a secondary logo, consisting of a snarling bobcat head facing forward with one side shaded orange, and the other blue. [58] Given Charlotte was already home to a cat-named team, the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, designer Chris Weiller made sure to create a logo that would not be similar to the Panthers logo. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division, and play their home games at the Spectrum Center in Uptown Charlotte. [61] A new arena to host the Bobcats in uptown Charlotte began construction in July 2003. 14 The First Black Beauty Was Customized For $50,000 By Dean Jeffries In 1966. The navy away uniforms featured 'Charlotte' in white and Carolina blue trim, with the numbers featured the same trim as the city name, with Carolina blue side stripes. [146], The "City" uniform for the 201920 season moved away from the "Buzz City" concept and went with a cool grey base, purple, teal and black piping, "CHA" acronym in purple and white numbers with purple trim. [157] The Hornets would go on to lead the NBA in attendance in eight of its first nine seasons. [65] Emeka Okafor, however, won the 200405 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. As part of the deal, he became head of basketball operations, though Bickerstaff remained general manager. Further color changes in 2012 made the bobcat gray, extended the blue background up to the 'Charlotte' name, which changed from blue to orange. This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 05:04. [203] Rufus D. Lynx is featured in NBA Jam 2010. For the 200910 season, the Bobcats sported redesigned uniforms, having a mixture of characteristics from both Hornets and Bobcats uniforms. [43] With Wesley, Phills, Rice, Mason, and Divac, the Hornets romped through the regular season, finishing with a 5131 record. Network administrators use the WHOIS lookup to identify and fix problems. [106] Stephenson was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes who was later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Courtney Lee.[107]. [85] St. John's assistant Mike Dunlap was named as his successor.[86]. He has won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. The Hornets weren't without their failures in this latest offseason, some of their own doing (former Bobcats forward Josh McRoberts signing with the Miami Heat) and others outside their control . Happy Hour Monday through Friday 2 PM to 6 PM $2 off all appetizers until 4 PM $2.50 Miller Lite Drafts $4.50 All other drafts Monday 1/2 Priced bottle wine $3 Budweiser and Bud Light bottles during all Nationals games $3 Natty Boh during all Orioles games Established in 2016. [199][200] He first appeared on November 1, 2003, according to his official bio on the Bobcats' website. This logo would become prominent in the team's marketing and be featured at center court from 200708 until 201314. According to an Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports report on the NBA, more than 83% of players are people of color. Following a dismal 919 start, Jordan announced that Larry Brown had stepped down as head coach. The Hornets have never won their division, finishing second once back in 2018-19. [47][48][49], Shortly after the relocation of the team to New Orleans, as well as to avoid a Browns-like lawsuit, the NBA opened itself to the possibility of adding a replacement team in Charlotte for the 200405 season, provided that an arena deal could be reached. After eight seasons with the team, Walker grew frustrated with the lack of success and the lowball offer the Hornets made in free agency. And now his ownership stake in the Jazz. [147][148], Charlotte's "City" uniform for the 202021 season paid homage to the city's history as the first to house a U.S. Italic denotes still active but not with team. Full Schedule. Although the Hornets (then Bobcats) franchise was valued at $175 million when Jordan bought a 80% share . [150], For the 202122 season, the Hornets' "City" uniform visually mixed various elements from previous identities. On April 30, 2012, the Bobcats announced that Silas would not return as head coach. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) LaMelo Ball made six 3-pointers before breaking his right ankle in the third quarter, and the Charlotte Hornets held on to beat the Detroit Pistons 117-106 on Monday night . The report on Major League Baseball found roughly 38% of the league's players are minorities. The teal version was used in the 201718 season,[152] followed by a white version in 201819, complete with an alternate court marking the 30th anniversary of NBA basketball in Charlotte. [96][97] The team officially unveiled its future logo and identity scheme during halftime of their December 21 game against the Jazz. Late on Saturday afternoon, the Hornets confirmed the news that Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim will become part of the ownership group, pending NBA approval. The team showed improvement during the following season. [94] The NBA announced, on July 18, 2013, that it had unanimously approved the rebranding, which would begin upon the conclusion of the 201314 season. Cam Newton purchased a 3,335 square foot condo in Charlotte, NC for $1.6 million in 2012. Jordan, who owns the Charlotte Hornets, agreed to sell a minority stake in a 2019 deal that valued the NBA team at $1.5 billion.. How much did Michael Jordan pay for the Hornets? ESTHEKING INTRO: Shmoneymo - On The Coast (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-legend-of-mo/146. 19982002: Final years of original personnel, [[[Category:All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases]], Learn how and when to remove this template message, NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player, Charlotte Hornets accomplishments and records, Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television, "Charlotte Hornets Name Returns to Carolinas", "NBA.com/StatsCharlotte Hornets seasons", "Hornets Unveil New Association and Icon Edition Uniforms", "Hornets unveil new uniforms for 2020-21 season", "Charlotte Hornets Reproduction and Usage Guideline Sheet", "Hornets, LendingTree Announce New Multi-Year Founding Level Partnership Highlighted By Jersey Patch", "Michael Jordan becomes Bobcats Majority Owner", "Michael Jordan Is A Billionaire After Increasing Stake In Hornets", "Charlotte Bobcats Become NBAs 30th Team", "Jordan: Bobcats changing name to Hornets", "End of an era: With Charlotte Bobcats out of the playoffs, Hornets return", "Report: Charlotte is the 8th fastest-growing city in the US", "The unclear origins of the hornet's nest symbolism", "A closer look at the uniforms and logos of the 90s", "The Making of a Classic: An Oral History of the OG Hornets Jerseys", "How Early Hornets Architect Carl Scheer Left a Lasting Legacy on All-Star Weekend", "Cleveland Cavaliers 133, Charlotte Hornets 93", "Los Angeles Clippers 105, Charlotte Hornets 117", "1988 Charlotte Hornets started off with a bang, became wildly popular with their fans", "Charlotte Hornets 19891990 Season Summary", "Bringing Back the Buzz: New Charlotte Hornets Aim to Match Magic of Old Hornets", "Hornets Legend Alonzo Mourning to be Honored in Halftime Ceremony on February 5 Buzz City Night", "Hornets Oust Celtics in down-to-wire Style", "199293 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats", "1993-94 Charlotte Hornets Rosters and Stats", "Hornets Can't Catch the Bulls at Four and Bow Out: NBA playoffs: Charlotte misses two last-second shots and Chicago advances with 85-84 victory", "Kobe Bryant and the draft day trade that changed NBA history", "Charlotte Hornets 19961997 Season Summary", "Lakers Acquire Rice from Hornets in Blockbuster Deal", "Silas Signs Hornets' Dotted Line/ The Charlotte Hornets Rewarded Paul Silas Turnaround Of The Team with a contract to coach the team for Four Years", "The Dispatch - Google News Archive Search", "Belkin's potential ownership group includes Bird, Carr", "Bird, Carr thinking pro hoops in Charlotte? As part of an agreement with the NBA, Charlotte returned for the 200405 NBA season, known as the Charlotte Bobcats. Jordan, whom Forbes values at $1.9 billion, bought the Charlotte franchisethen the Bobcatsback in 2010 for $275 million. [24] The Hornets finished their inaugural season with a record of 2062. Fearsome Finalists. Dwyane Wade is a #HeatLifer.. The team, originally known as the Bobcats, joined the NBA in 2004 as the league's 30th franchise. 1988" sign acknowledging the team's inaugural year. The team wore the uniform for as many as six games during the 201516 NBA season. [209] Former personnel include: Stephanie Ready, who worked as a sideline reporter and in-game analyst for the Hornets for a decade before moving to Turner Sports in 2018, and long time Hornets broadcaster Steve Martin, who retired after the 201718 season.[210]. Under his leadership, the team has had limited success, making the playoffs just three times and losing in the first round on every occasion. [89] Dunlap was fired on April 23, reportedly because the players were turned off by his heavy-handed coaching style. [46] The team finished with a 2624 record, but failed to qualify for the playoffs. The home uniforms were white and featured an arched "Bobcats" in blue with orange and white trim. Jordan is also one of the most intriguing personalities in NBA history. WOLS switched its non-sports programming from oldies to Spanish language on January 1, 2009, making Bobcats and Duke basketball the station's only non-Spanish language programming. Wealth History. [28] Despite the team's seven-game improvement over the previous season, Gene Littles was fired at the end of the season and replaced by general manager Allan Bristow. [133] During the off-season, notable additions included drafting Duke center Mark Williams with the 15th pick of the 2022 NBA Draft and the free agent signing of point guard and North Carolina native Dennis Smith Jr.[134][135], The Hornets' first logo was a teal and purple anthropomorphic hornet wearing white shoes and gloves dribbling an orange basketball. Props are bought, designed, and created by the property department (also called props department) which is led by the prop master. [99] On January 16, 2014, the Bobcats revealed new Hornets shirts, hats and gear.[100]. The Bobcats' primary logo from 2004 to 2012 consisted of a snarling orange bobcat facing to the right with the indented name 'Bobcats' above in silver on a blue background, with 'Charlotte' (also indented) appearing above it in the same blue color. [citation needed]. [53] The franchise with Johnson as its owner was approved by the NBA Board of Governors on January 10, 2003. Gerald Wallace was a huge factor in the playoff run as he became the Bobcats' first and only NBA All-Star. The Charlotte Observerreports Jordan controls around 97% of Hornets equity. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Charlotte Hornets seasons. [112] The trade reunited Howard with head coach Steve Clifford, both of whom worked together during Howard's time in Orlando and Los Angeles. [67] In their second season, the Bobcats opened Charlotte Bobcats Arena with an overtime victory over the Celtics. [61] The Bobcats won 11 of their last 19 games of Bickerstaff's tenure to finish their third season 3349. Out of Nowhere, Ashton Hagans Makes History for Greensboro Swarm. Jordan owns about 97 percent of the team, according to Bonnell. If you are a pop culture fanatic, and you follow Comic-Con and the news about superheroes and villains, you surely know about the iconic Green Hornet Chrysler car nicknamed Black Beauty. [93], On May 21, 2013, Jordan officially announced the organization had submitted an application to change the name of the franchise to the Charlotte Hornets for the 201415 NBA season, pending a majority vote for approval by the NBA Board of Governors at a meeting in Las Vegas on July 18, 2013. The team chose teal and purple as its primary colors and featured a first for NBA uniformspinstripes. They share my commitment to Charlotte and the Carolinas, and I look forward to working with and learning from them.". When the team returned as the Bobcats in 2004, Johnson partnered with Time Warner to create Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television (C-SET), a regional sports network. As a result, the league considers the Hornets retrospectively, having suspended operations from 2002 to 2004. [87] With the second pick in the 2012 NBA draft, the Bobcats selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and selected Jeffery Taylor with the 31st pick. It eliminated them from the 6th seed, which means the Play-In Tournament teams will be the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte Hornets (in their current order). Despite doubt from critics,[15] Shinn's ace in the hole was the Charlotte Coliseum, a state-of-the-art arena that would seat almost 24,000 spectators, the largest basketball-specific arena ever to serve as a full-time home for an NBA team. The Hornets could pick twice in the first round if their . According to financial documentation obtained by Deadspin, "as of June 30, 2009, the . and Billed! As a result, Time Warner customers without digital cable, as well as western North Carolina and most of South Carolina, were left to rely on radio coverage. [129] On April 22, 2022, the Hornets fired head coach James Borrego after four seasons with the team. [136] In the 2006 off-season, the Bobcats announced a new alternate away jersey which debuted during the 200607 season. And they follow the logic of finance capital - the logic of money. [95], The Bobcats announced on November 22, they would adopt a modified version of the original Hornets' teal-purple-white color palette, with black, gray and Carolina blue as accents. Roster Last transaction: February 12, 2023. [138], The newly renamed Hornets unveiled the team's uniforms on June 19, 2014, consisting of white home and purple road uniforms with the "Hornets" wordmark across the chest. However, the team went cold, losing their next eleven games. [103] In the same draft they acquired UConn Husky Shabazz Napier, Dwight Powell from Stanford, and Semaj Christon from Xavier in the second round. What Team Does Michael Jordan Own. The primary away jersey was orange reading "Charlotte" in white with blue and black trimming. [137], The Bobcats unveiled new uniforms on June 19, 2012, their second and final change in five years. WAXN-TV became the flagship for the 199899 season, and remained as such until the original team departed in 2002. The chair must report on the Fed's actions to Congress. [98], The original Hornets uniforms were designed by international designer and North Carolina native Alexander Julian. Charlotte finished the regular season 4339. [207], From 1988 to 1992, the Hornets aired most road games, and occasional home games, on a network of stations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia fronted by WCCB in Charlotte. The white "Association" uniform and the teal "Icon" uniform feature the "Hornets" wordmark in front and the silhouetted hornet on the waistband. The silhouetted Hornets logo was moved to the sides of the shorts while the partial logo was placed on the beltline. Hornets ( 20 - 44) Cavaliers ( 39 - 26) TV: Bally Sports SE-CHA. [206], The Hornets have an official cheerleading squad known as the Charlotte Honey Bees. The arena was designed for college basketball as part of Charlotte's push to maintain their presence in the ACC basketball tournament rotation. [66], In the 2005 NBA draft, the Bobcats drafted Raymond Felton and Sean May from North Carolina. The 201718 version featured black letters with white trim on a black base and the sides featured a wing pattern of a hornet. List of the last five seasons completed by the Hornets. This is a 20 percent increase from their previous year's worth. Shortly after, they traded with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire the second pick in the 2004 NBA draft, which they used to select center Emeka Okafor from Connecticut. The Hornets fired James Borrego after four seasons in April. Before the Hornets were eliminated from the 2002 playoffs, the NBA approved a deal for the team to move to New Orleans following the season and become the New Orleans Hornets. Late on Saturday . 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. [1][11][12] On the day the name change became official, the Charlotte franchise reclaimed the history and records of the 19882002 Hornets from the Pelicans. [91] In February 2014, the team received Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour in a trade with the Bucks. The team stayed in contention for a playoff spot until March, but finished the year with a 3151 record. 2026 second round draft pick to Golden State. Regular season (as of the end of the 202021 season), Hugo The Hornet is the current mascot of the franchise, and was retained by the New Orleans Hornets after the Charlotte Hornets departure in 2002, until the New Orleans franchise's rebranding as the Pelicans. But those numbers are hardly reflected in the ownership ranks. The team's radio flagship is all-sports station WFNZ. The team achieved the best season in its history at the time, finishing 5428, and making it back to the playoffs. The Hornets had a successful 2017 off-season. Charlotte Hornets. [109] Along the way, they defeated the Heat twice at Time Warner Cable Arena, the franchise's first playoff wins since the original Hornets era. Serve breakfast all day and have daily specials. [80] Paul Silas was hired as their new head coach the same day. [128] The Hornets would clinch a spot in the Play-In Tournament for the second consecutive time although losing to fellow Southeast division foe the Atlanta Hawks 132103. RUMOR: Michael Jordan's Hornets ownership style blasted by other league execs. The other two are . [76] On February 27, 2010, it was announced that Johnson had decided to sell the team to Jordan, allowing Jordan to become the first former NBA player to become majority owner of a franchise. [113] In the draft, Charlotte selected Malik Monk with the 11th overall pick, as well as Frank Jackson with the 31st pick. Back then, they did not have all the effects and technology that we have now and he was also given 30 days to get the job done. [39], Glen Rice would make an immediate impact after joining the Hornets, leading the team in scoring and points-per-game during the 199596 season. During the 2012 NBA All-Star Jam Session, Rufus D. Lynx broke a world record along with Coyote, Grizz, Hooper, and Sly the Silver Fox for most "between the legs" basketball dunks. The Charlotte area had long been a hotbed for college basketball. From 1995 to 1998, some games aired on WJZY's sister station, WFVT-TV (now WMYT-TV). Award - 2016 NBA champions, and 2016 best team ESPY award. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nba | pageType: stories | 11. [41] The new-look Hornets were successful, with Divac and Geiger providing the center combination, Mason averaging a double-double, Bogues back at the point, and Rice having the finest season of his career. [31], The Hornets were in the lottery again in 1992 and won the second overall pick in the draft, using it to select Georgetown center Alonzo Mourning. [124] On November 29, 2020, the Hornets would acquire Gordon Hayward in a sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics. Specialties: We are proud and excited to be serving the Damascus community! [98], From 2004 to 2014, Rufus D. Lynx was the mascot of the Bobcats. The teal uniform is planned to be used as an alternate uniform for either home or road games and worn a total of 1620 times per season.[139]. After fourteen seasons under its original ownership, the franchise suspended operations in 2002 when Shinn transferred the basketball organization . WJZY became the Hornets' over-the-air flagship in 1992, and remained as such until 1998. After finishing what many consider to be the greatest basketball career of all-time, Jordan put all his . When our founder couldn't find one brand to trust for all her everyday needs, she had to create it. A drafted player is ostensibly either an international draftee or a college draftee who is not signed by the team that drafted him, is allowed to sign with any non-NBA teams. Before 2010, games had aired on WOLS. [120] During the 201819 season, Charlotte finished the season with a 3943 record finishing 2nd in the division and 9th in the Eastern Conference. [141] The purple "Statement" uniform is similar to the "Icon" and "Association" uniforms, but feature the "Charlotte" wordmark in front. . The alternate jersey is blue, with the name "Bobcats" in white with black, orange and white trimming. The front of the uniform featured the "CHA" acronym in bold white letters with teal trim, while teal "stinger" stripes accentuate the sides. Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan will own a NASCAR Cup team that will have Bubba Wallace as its driver for 2021, Hamlin announced on social media Monday night. On May 20, 2014, the Bobcats officially became the second incarnation of the Charlotte Hornets. However, this still left viewers in most of South Carolina (except for the South Carolina side of the Charlotte area, which saw games on Comporium) as well as eastern and western North Carolina, out in the cold. 2. For the 201718 season and beyond, the Hornets have been outfitted by Nike's Air Jordan brand endorsed by franchise owner Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. The season did not start until February, as the lockout shortened the regular season to only 50 games. The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2010, he took full control of the team and became the only African-American to be a majority owner of an NBA franchise. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is replacing the Hornets with the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter by the end of 2021. [38] Following the season, the Hornets traded Mourning to the Miami Heat for forward Glen Rice, center Matt Geiger, and guard Khalid Reeves. [23] On December 23, 1988, the Hornets' beat Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls 103101 in Jordan's first return to North Carolina as a professional. [25], Despite initial concerns that the Coliseum was too big, the Hornets were a runaway hit, leading the NBA in attendance, a feat they would achieve seven more times in Charlotte. (Getty) Michael Jordan has a knack for success. Earlier this year, Forbes valued the Hornets at about $1.3 . In 1994, the Hornets unveiled a purple alternate uniform, with pinstripes in white, green, blue and teal. Game Recap. Rod Higgins was hired as general manager,[70] and Sam Vincent was hired as the second head coach in franchise history.