Most classless thing I've seen at a Bobcats game...

[JGib23]

Nata- I think most people here realize that the NBA Merchandise revenue is split among all teams. I also think that the NBA looks at this is the aggregate, meaning that while MJ may only see a portion, it would grow total revenues. The Bobcats are again ranked dead last in the NBA in merchandise revenue, so the new colors, new logo, new jerseys, etc haven't moved the needle very much.

I also think that your wrong on the $3m to "buy" the name, everything I've read has said it would cost $3M to rebrand so that includes redesign of logos, signage, etc.

As far as when to rebrand, I think the time is now, this subject has been a consistent topic and distraction from the 1st day he owned the team. It's time to put this subject to rest definitively and move on.

No matter what the team decides- this needs to be the final decision and it needs to come quickly.

As to your last question - if the team rebrands and still it's a ghost town, I think we have to look out for the vultures from other cities in a few years.

[westbrook08]

It's not even just about jersey sales. I've heard tons of people say that they wouldn't have anything to do with the Bobcats because of Johnson and that they would gladly come back with a name change. Right or wrong, that seems to be the attitude of a lot of people. I think it can actually help us in free agency too. A lot of these young players are kind of hipsters now. I've seen all kinds of references to the Charlotte Hornets coming back by players on twitter. I think it might actually be "the cool thing" to play here the first few years after the re brand.

[JGib23]

Westbrook- i didn't think that many people outside of Charlotte cared at first....... But, I'm huge old school rap fan and last night Chuck D from Public Enemy tweeted this.

"The best thing about a NBA team named the Pelicans in Nawlins is that Charlotte might be the Hornets again instead of the Bobcats. Miss the Hive"

I'm not saying he's gonna buy tickets but, it speaks volumes about how the Charlotte Hornets brand is perceived nationally in comparison to the Bobcats.

[westbrook08]

It was part of a lot of people's childhoods and also happens to be cool among hipsters who like retro stuff. I'm sure if the Sonics name comes back it'll have a big surge too. I'm sure there are lots of people my age from all over the country who grew up playing with LJ/Zo and Kemp/Payton on NBA jam and Bulls Vs. Lakers on Sega. They were also franchises that won 50+ games in season several times under those names. The popularity doesn't surprise me @ all.

[bes628]

Westbrook- i didn't think that many people outside of Charlotte cared at first....... But, I'm huge old school rap fan and last night Chuck D from Public Enemy tweeted this.

"The best thing about a NBA team named the Pelicans in Nawlins is that Charlotte might be the Hornets again instead of the Bobcats. Miss the Hive"

I'm not saying he's gonna buy tickets but, it speaks volumes about how the Charlotte Hornets brand is perceived nationally in comparison to the Bobcats.

If Chuck D, speaks positive about it, it has to happen.

[BrotherDave]

Chuck D, wow. Maybe if Q-Tip or Phife join the movement I can officially get behind it, lol.

I think the time for a rebrand is ASAP. Pump some energy into this franchise while we're lingering in the last phase of our rebuild. All things go correctly, it will buy us some time while we tank proper for the Wiggins sweepstakes until we start actually winning again.

[bes628]

Chuck D, wow. Maybe if Q-Tip or Phife join the movement I can officially get behind it, lol.

I think the time for a rebrand is ASAP. Pump some energy into this franchise while we're lingering in the last phase of our rebuild. All things go correctly, it will buy us some time while we tank proper for the Wiggins sweepstakes until we start actually winning again.

You can't do anymore tanking without losing the fanbase as a whole. This season is killing everybody's spirit, especially since its following this past season. Just can't do that.

[Mustachio]

You can't do anymore tanking without losing the fanbase as a whole. This season is killing everybody's spirit, especially since its following this past season. Just can't do that.

Wrong. we are at ground zero. Can't lose anymore fans. Nothing matters but building the best team. If that means tanking again... you tank. Not saying tanking is our best bet (even though it is) just that the myth that fans will abandon the team if we tank again is irrelevant.

[Demon DeaCat]

Personally, I'm firmly in the Hornets camp. It holds strong nostalgic value for me, but not because I believe Muggsy, LJ and Zo are going to magically descend from the sky if we change it back or that we'll suddenly start selling out every game. No one thinks that so people can refrain from trotting out that same tired retort every time the issue is discussed. One of the reasons this issue has become so unnecessarily contentious is because people make insulting and dismissive comments like that. We could all wax poetic about what either name means to us, and the truth is, valid points can be made no matter which side you come down on.

And while I'd love the name and will be disappointed if it doesn't come back, I've got way bigger fish to fry in life as I'm sure (hope) we all do. As long as we've got a team and they are competitive, everything else is pretty far down the list.

[Ghost Kat]

We had the Hornets for 14yrs. Two yrs Zero team and almost 10 years of the Bobcats. I also on the Team Hornet bandwagon. But only because I like many never liked the Bobcats name. I hate Bob Johnson for B.E.T. it has helped indoctrinate young blacks and many other races into a happy to be ghetto frame of mind. And thats no way to advance a people or this country. None the less this State has better memories with the Hornets. Bob Johnson isn't here anymore, his name should leave too