HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Charlotte Bobcats are in the process of changing their name back to "Hornets," a source with knowledge of the situation told CBSSports.com's Will Brinson, including arranging digital assets that would allow a return to their original nickname. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets 

There is no timetable for the switch though NBA commissioner to be Adam Silver told Bobcats season ticket holders in April that such a change would take at least 18 months to implement. Moreover, the change is not unexpected and would likely be popular with the North Carolina fan base. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Adam Silver, Charlotte Hornets 

Silver told season ticket holders re-acquiring the name "Hornets" would not be an issue, stating that the NBA and not the Pelicans owned the moniker. Acquiring and rearranging the necessary digital assets would be a major part of any change. Hornets.com and CharlotteHornets.com are owned by NBA Media Ventures, LLC and currently redirect to NBA.com/Pelicans. However, a WhoIs.net search for the domain name NBAHornets.com shows that the URL was created and registered very recently -- on May 15, 2013 to be exact -- by NBA Media Ventures, LLC. NBA Media Ventures, LLC, is the media branch of the NBA and owns NBA.com, Hornets.com and CharlotteHornets.com. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets 

I laid out my argument for the Charlotte Hornets rebrand three weeks ago. Since then, MJ addressed the name change on Bobcats.com: “As some of you may be aware, we have engaged a national polling group to survey both our current season ticket holders and randomly selected individuals in our local area to see how our fans and stakeholders feel about this topic. Judging from the e-mails you’ve sent me, the opinion seems to be very mixed.” CBS

Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets, Michael Jordan, Charlotte Hornets 

Could the Charlotte franchise reclaim the Hornets moniker after New Orleans ditched it for the wholly less intimidating Pelicans? A new ad is pushing that very idea. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets, Charlotte Hornets 

The Charlotte Bobcats face a $3 million decision: Is it worth the investment to change the team’s name to “Hornets,” hoping to capture the nostalgia for Charlotte’s original NBA team? Reports Tuesday said Tom Benson, the new owner of the New Orleans Hornets who said he wants to change his team’s nickname to something that represents that city, has chosen “Pelicans” as that new name. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets 

“There is enough nostalgia about that name that you could get some good karma from it,” said Joe Favorito, a professor of advanced sports marketing at Columbia University. “Would they stick around if the team isn’t good? Probably not. But that nickname could have the effect of getting some customers to give it a second look.” Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets 

The team has prepared, though. A marketing study of Charlotte the team commissioned during the summer of 2010, couldn’t ask specific questions about the Hornets, but did poll Charlotteans on the name “Bobcats.” The results might surprise you. According to chief sales and marketing officer Pete Guelli, more than 60 percent of those polled liked the name Bobcats; about 20 percent advocated a name change. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets